Amanda Anisimova’s Wimbledon run will continue with an improbable final appearance, her first at a major, after beating No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.
After claiming the first set 6-4, Anisimova—who was competing in her second career Grand Slam semifinal and first in more than six years—withered in the second. By the third, Anisimova and Sabalenka were exchanging momentum.
Anisimova took an early 4-1 lead in the third set before Sabalenka—who had an 11-2 record in matches at Grand Slam tournaments since 2022 when losing the opening set—mounted a comeback. Ultimately, Anisimova was able to carry her early advantage to a 6-4 win. Upon securing match point, Anisimova turned to the crowd and covered her mouth seemingly in disbelief.
“To be honest if you told me I’d be in the final at Wimbledon, I would not believe you,” Anisimova said following the match. “At least not this soon.”
Anisimova, who is the only American left in the tournament on the women’s side, will compete for a purse of up to $4.1 million. Wimbledon’s runner-up earns $2.1 million. Thursday was Sabalenka’s third Wimbledon semifinal. She advanced from the quarterfinals after dropping the opening set to Laura Siegemund, and will exit with a $1.1 million payout.
The pair are very familiar: Anisimova came into the match having won five times in their previous eight career meetings, including their first two major matches. Most recently, the two met last month in Paris at the French Open in the round of 16 where Sabalenka won in straight sets (7-5, 6-3).
Anisimova advanced to her second career Grand Slam semifinal after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets on Tuesday.
“What a journey it’s been the last two weeks,” Anisimova said.
Beyond beating Sabalenka, the top-ranked women’s singles player, Anisimova’s Wimbledon final berth was considered unlikely because of her recent absence from tennis. In 2023, she announced an indefinite break from the sport to focus on her mental health. She returned in 2024 and this season made her biggest splash at Roland Garros.
A year ago, Anisimova was ranked No. 189 and failed to qualify for the main draw at Wimbledon.
“It’s been a year turnaround since coming back,” Anisimova said. “To be in this spot, it’s not easy. So many people dream of competing on this incredible court. It’s been such a privilege to compete here. To be in the final is indescribable.”
American women have appeared in the last four Major Finals.
Coco Gauff won the 2025 French Open, Madison Keys won the 2025 Australian Open, and Jessica Pegula lost to Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open. A win from Anisimova Saturday would make her the third different American woman to win the first three majors of the year.
