Anisimova returns to a Grand Slam semifinal after 6-year wait

Amanda Anisimova is back in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in over six years. On a tense Tuesday afternoon at Wimbledon’s No. 1 Court, the 23-year-old American nearly squandered a commanding second-set lead but held her nerve to defeat Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1 7-6(9).

After failing to convert two match points at 5-4 and falling behind 3-6 in the tiebreak, Anisimova rallied, saving five set points and eventually sealing the win on her fourth match point with a powerful serve that Pavlyuchenkova returned into the net.

The moment overwhelmed her. She collapsed face-down on the grass, then stood up beaming, hands over her face in disbelief. Her celebrations took a heartwarming turn when she brought her nephew Jackson onto the court to join her.

It’s been quite a journey. Anisimova’s last Grand Slam semifinal came at the 2019 French Open when she was just 17. In 2023, she stepped away from the sport to address mental health struggles and burnout. A year ago, she didn’t even make it through Wimbledon qualifying. Now, she’s guaranteed to break into the Top 10 for the first time in her career.

Anisimova, seeded 13th, becomes the youngest American woman to reach a Wimbledon semifinal since 22-year-old Serena Williams did so in 2004. She will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday for a place in the final. Sabalenka booked her place in the last four earlier on Tuesday with a hard-fought win over Germany’s Laura Siegemund.