On Thursday, American tennis player Amanda Anisimova secured her place in her first-ever Grand Slam final with a dramatic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over the tournament’s top seed, Aryna Sabalenka, at Wimbledon. Demonstrating impressive power and precision, Anisimova broke Sabalenka multiple times in the decisive third set to stun the favorite and continue her strong career record against her at 6-3.

At 23 years old, Anisimova will return to the iconic Centre Court on Saturday, facing the winner between Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic. As she aims for the championship, she seeks to become the first American to claim a Wimbledon Grand Slam title since Serena Williams in 2016.

Match Highlights Reveal a Battle of Momentum and Resilience

The final set began with Sabalenka breaking Anisimova’s serve, briefly taking the lead. However, Anisimova quickly reversed momentum with a break of her own, capitalizing on a crucial unforced error from Sabalenka’s forehand. Later, she secured a second break to lead 3-1, forcing Sabalenka into mistakes, including an ill-fated net smash that went long.

During the intense rally, Sabalenka appeared frustrated, famously throwing her hands up after missing a key point as Anisimova extended her lead to 4-1 by winning four consecutive games. Anisimova’s powerful cross-court forehand on match points underscored her commanding form.

On her initial match point at 5-3, Anisimova hit a lob that Sabalenka failed to reach, then secured victory on her fourth match point with a decisive forehand winner on Sabalenka’s serve, concluding a suspenseful semifinal clash.

Anisimova Reflects on an Unimaginable Achievement

Speaking after her win, Anisimova candidly admitted the unexpected nature of her success:

“To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final at Wimbledon, I would not believe you,”

Amanda Anisimova said.

“At least not this soon. It’s been a year turnaround since coming back, to be in this spot, it’s not easy. So many people dream of competing on this incredible court. To be in the final, it’s just indescribable honestly.”

Sabalenka’s Strong Tournament Run Meets Its Match

Before Thursday’s defeat, Sabalenka had lost only one set throughout the tournament, during her quarterfinal match against Laura Siegemund. Her powerful serve helped her win 82% of points on first serves in the second set of the semifinal, and before the third set, she held a slight edge in winners (22 to Anisimova’s 21).

Despite these strengths, Sabalenka struggled with timing and unforced errors at critical moments against Anisimova’s changing return strategies. The American varied her shots effectively, mixing down-the-line and cross-court returns, which unsettled the world No. 1 and contributed to the shifting dynamics of the match.

Signs of Pressure and Tactical Battles on Centre Court

Midway through the second set, Sabalenka capitalized on Anisimova’s double fault to take a 4-3 lead, marking the first moment the American showed nerves against the World No. 1. During the following game, Sabalenka’s sharp passing shot during a 12-shot rally gave her multiple set points, though Anisimova managed to fend them off and close the gap to 5-4.

The encounter displayed the intense psychological and physical demands typical of Wimbledon semifinals, with Anisimova showcasing remarkable grit to secure the win and maintain an undefeated 6-0 record in three-set grass-court matches this year.

The Path Ahead: A Historic Opportunity for Anisimova and American Tennis

With a place in the Wimbledon final secured, Amanda Anisimova stands on the brink of making history as the first American to win the Wimbledon Grand Slam since Serena Williams’ 2016 triumph. Facing either Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic, the final promises an intense contest where Anisimova’s powerful forehand and tactical versatility will be tested under the spotlight of Centre Court once again.

This breakthrough signals a potential shift in women’s tennis, highlighting Anisimova’s emergence as a serious contender on the biggest stages. Her victory over a top-seeded player like Sabalenka not only boosts her confidence but also electrifies the tournament as fans eagerly anticipate the outcome of the final.