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The series of upsets at Wimbledon 2025 continued as Amanda Anisimova upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Wimbledon on Thursday to reach the first Grand Slam final of her career.
Amanda became the third American woman to reach a Grand Slam final in 2025 after Madison Keys and Coco Gauff. She is now the youngest American woman to reach the Wimbledon singles final since Serena Williams in 2004.
From battling mental health to reaching the Wimbledon final
Not to forget, Anisimova had taken a break from tennis after going through a mental battle. In May 2023, the American tennis star stepped away from tennis indefinitely, stating unbearable exhaustion and mental health struggles that had troubled her since mid-2022.
During her 8-month break, Anisimova dropped to the Global ranking of 442, but she always had the belief that she could make it to the top back then. However, she did not expect herself to be at a Grand Slam final so soon.
“To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you – especially not this soon. It’s been a year turnaround.
“So many dreams of competing on this court. It’s such a privilege. To be in the final is just incredible," Anisimova said after the match.
Anisimova kept her opening set winning streak
Anisimova was coming to the match with a remarkable 29-match opening set winning streak. So, if the American wins the first set, she takes the match as well. This is what happened in the first set as the 13th-seeded star broke first against Aryna Sabalenka and won the set by 6-4.
It was Anisimova’s backhand that caused all the problems for Sabalenka.
Sabalenka bounced back in the second set
In the second set, the World No.1 came back and came back with a statement. Sabalenka broke first and took a 4-3 lead.
But Anisimova’s grit made it tough for Sablenka, but it was not enough to win the set. The three-time Grand Slam winner won the second set 6-4.
Dominating final set from the American
But, in the third set, Anisimova levelled her game up and brought all the grass court momentum, where she is now unbeaten for 12 straight games. Even Sabalenka's power game could not resist the American from winning back-to-back match points.
Right after missing three match points, and two hours and 36 tiring minutes, Amanda Anisimova entered her first Grand Slam final.
“This doesn’t feel real right now,” said Anisimova, as she waved at her family in her player box. “I was dying out there. Aryna is such an incredibly tough competitor, such an inspiration to me and so many other players," she added.
On Saturday, she will face the winner of the second semi-final between Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic.