Amanda Anisimova just ripped up the script at Wimbledon, again, leaving world number one Aryna Sabalenka clutching shattered dreams and probably a sweaty towel. So now, Anisimova’s heading to her first Grand Slam final, up against Iga Swiatek, after grinding out a wild 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win under the kind of sun that makes you question all your life choices.
Honestly, seeing her waving and blowing kisses after that win? She looked dazed, like she’d just walked out of a fever dream rather than Centre Court. “This doesn’t feel real, I was absolutely dying out there,” she joked, half-laughing, half-gasping for air. And who could blame her? She clawed her way out of 11 break points – 11! – and needed four match points to finally seal it, after two and a half hours of absolute chaos.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka… I mean, ouch. She’s already eaten heartbreak sandwiches in two Slam finals this year, first in Australia (thanks, Madison Keys) and then in Paris (cheers, Coco Gauff), and now she doesn’t even get to show up for the big Wimbledon party. That’s three straight Slam finals she’d made, and now, boom, out.
Anisimova’s been “the next big thing” since she was, what, 17? Remember when she shocked Simona Halep and, yep, Sabalenka at the French Open semis in 2019? Well, then she disappeared for a minute mental health break, needed it, took it, good for her. Now she’s back. Not sure anyone had her pinned for a Wimbledon final this year, though. I mean, a decent run at Queen’s, but beating Sabalenka here? That’s next-level.
Thing is, Sabalenka just couldn’t blast her off the court like she does to most mortals. Anisimova was everywhere covering the court, reading the play, and that backhand? Filthy. They were neck and neck until Sabalenka blinked first, double-faulting at *the worst* possible moment. Six deuces in that tenth game, then poof, first set gone.
It was so hot, random people in the stands were dropping like flies, and Sabalenka actually handed out water bottles and ice packs. (Who says tennis isn’t a contact sport?) Second set, more of the same. Sabalenka broke through with another double fault from Anisimova, but closing it out was like pulling teeth. Anisimova saved four set points, made Sabalenka work for every damn thing.
Third set, Sabalenka broke early. Looked like she might finally pull away. Nope. She immediately started spraying errors, and Anisimova snatched four games like she was stealing candy from a kid. Even when nerves popped up at the end hello, three break points she just kept swinging, finally closing it out.
So, Sabalenka’s wait for a Wimbledon final drags on. Anisimova’s playing for the biggest title of her life. Not gonna lie, this final’s got some serious intrigue. Swiatek, beware.
Anisimova’s gonna have to pull out all the stops if she wants her name on that Grand Slam trophy especially after Swiatek just steamrolled Bencic 6-2, 6-0 to book her first Wimbledon final. I mean, Swiatek looked like a woman possessed out there.
Funny thing, these two actually threw down in a wild fourth-round match at Wimbledon a couple years back—Swiatek literally clawed her way back from match points down. This time? Not even close. Swiatek just bulldozed her way to Grand Slam final number six, and, uh, spoiler alert: she’s won every single one she’s played so far. Kinda terrifying.
“I am just super excited and proud of myself,” Swiatek said, grinning like a kid with a new bike.
“Tennis keeps surprising me. I thought I’d seen it all, but, nope turns out I’d never played this good on grass.”
She’s right, though. The way she was moving? Serving? It was like grass suddenly became her home court.
And get this Swiatek strolled onto the court, headphones on, looking like she was about to rob the place. Later, she admits she was blasting AC/DC to get hyped. I mean, whatever works, right? Clearly it did, since she only dropped two games and wrapped things up in barely more than an hour. Blink and you missed it.
She wasted no time, breaking Bencic’s serve right outta the gate. Though, to be fair, Bencic tweaked her knee stretching for a ball ouch. Then there was this weird delay because some fan needed medical attention, which actually gave Bencic a breather. For a second, it looked like she might loosen up and get back in it.
But honestly? Bencic wasn’t playing bad tennis. Swiatek was just on another level. She even threw in some style with a slick volley to grab a second break and snatch the first set.
Now, Swiatek did have a little wobble two double faults to start the second set. Bit of a “wait, what?” moment, but she shook it off and held serve.
After that, it was lights out. She broke Bencic again and just tore through the rest, barely breaking a sweat. If Anisimova's watching, she better be taking notes or taking cover.