By Kwame Bediako
Amanda Anisimova stunned the tennis world by defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set semifinal at Wimbledon, securing her first-ever Grand Slam final appearance. The 23-year-old American, seeded 13th, triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Centre Court, becoming the first player born in the 21st century to reach a Wimbledon final.
Her victory ended Sabalenka’s quest to become the first woman in a decade to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals. Sabalenka, who had returned from a shoulder injury to claim the 2024 US Open and reach finals in Melbourne and Paris, was the overwhelming favorite after the early exit of other top seeds.
However, Anisimova’s calm and precise backhand groundstrokes, combined with her resilient mental strength, proved decisive in the tightly contested match. Despite Sabalenka’s fierce fightback in the second set, Anisimova’s composure in the final set earned her the win. Anisimova’s journey to this stage has been remarkable.
After a promising start as a teenager reaching the 2019 French Open semifinals, she took a seven-month break in 2023 to address mental health challenges. Ranked outside the top 400 just 18 months ago, her rise back to form culminates in this breakthrough at Wimbledon, a tournament she described as “a true honor” to compete in.
The match showcased intense momentum swings, with both players exchanging breaks and battling fiercely. Sabalenka’s frustration was visible at times, while Anisimova maintained focus, even celebrating a net-cord winner without apology, signaling her confidence.
The win also extended Anisimova’s head-to-head advantage over Sabalenka to 6-3, underscoring her growing edge in this rivalry.
Her victory not only marks a personal milestone but also highlights a new generation of players born after 2000 making their mark on tennis’s biggest stage.
