A sensation in the Wimbledon semifinals. Aryna Sabalenka didn't expect it!

It's worth starting by explaining the origins of Amanda Anisimova, whose surname, rightly, sounds… not very American. The tennis player is of Russian descent but was born in the United States, where she absorbed tennis skills from the beginning of her career.

Wimbledon: Amanda Anisimova in the final! Aryna Sabalenka lost

In Thursday's first women's singles semifinal, two very similar players faced off. It's tempting to say the WTA ranking leader met… a carbon copy of herself from the US, although there are certainly a few differences between the two. Most importantly, however, Sabalenka and Anisimova's foundations are power, solid serves, and resolving on-court situations sooner rather than later.

The Minsk-born tennis player endured several truly grueling matches en route to the semifinals. The most recent, last Tuesday (July 8th), was a lopsided victory over Laura Sigemund. Ultimately, after three sets and almost as many hours spent on the court (2 hours and 56 minutes), the Belarusian managed to defeat the highly experienced German and advance to the top four at Wimbledon.

In the semifinals, however, Sabalenka once again faced a well-disposed opponent. Anisimova, unlike Sigemund, possessed the firepower to counter the tournament's top seed's attempts to impose pressure.

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However, before the first set really got going, it was interrupted for several minutes due to a disturbing incident in the stands – a fan fainted. This was due to the extreme heat that returned to London on Thursday (July 10). Play eventually resumed with Anisimova trailing 3-2. The first set ended with only one break. At a crucial moment, the American, trailing 5-4, managed to get to Sabalenka's serve. Under pressure after several minutes of power play, Sabalenka ultimately lost the game and the set 4-6.

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A sensation was therefore brewing, as that's how a defeat for the world number one should be treated, regardless of the tournament. Anisimova refused to stray from her established path, once again focusing on her serve and also trying to pressure an increasingly frustrated Sabalenka.

It's no coincidence that the Belarusian is at the top of the WTA rankings. Sabalenka broke her opponent in the crucial seventh game of the set (4-3), then quickly improved on her serve (5-3). The American defended her service game, saving several break points, but the final score was 6-4 for Sabalenka, the same as in the opening set.

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However, the biggest thrills for both players came in the final set. It began with a break (1-0) in favor of the speeding Sabalenka. However, Anisimova managed to fight back after just a few minutes (2-1). The American extended her lead (4-1), though the individual games were very evenly matched. Especially the fifth, when Anisimova defended her serve from 15-40. Crucially, the American initially lost her most important game of her life at 5-3. The Belarusian broke back to make it 4-5 from her perspective.

But what good was that, since after just a few minutes, Sabalenka... couldn't win her service game, starting it at a shocking 0-40. Anisimova held her nerve and ultimately won 6-4 and 2-1 in sets.

For 23-year-old Amanda Anisimova, Wimbledon 2025 will be her first Grand Slam final. The American has previously reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam twice, in Paris (2019) and… at this year's tournament in London.

In Thursday's second Wimbledon semi-final, Iga Świątek will face Belinda Bencić.

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