Anisimova upsets Sabalenka to reach Wimbledon 2025 final: 'This doesn't feel real'
Amanda Anisimova advanced to her first Grand Slam final with an upset win against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday at Wimbledon, continuing the recent dominance of American women at the majors.
The 23-year-old earned a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory—her first against a reigning world No. 1—after two hours, 36 minutes on Centre Court. After going toe-to-toe with Sabalenka in power-packed baseline rallies throughout the afternoon, Anisimova's defense and touch helped her get over the line in the final set. She closed out the match with a break of serve on her fourth match point, after missing out on one as she attempted to serve out the victory at 5-3.
An American woman has now reached the final at four consecutive majors, after Jessica Pegula (US Open), Madison Keys (Australian Open) and Coco Gauff (Roland Garros). Anisimova will bid to become the third consecutive American major champion after Keys and Gauff when she takes on Iga Swiatek in Saturday's final.
Read more on Anisimova in USOpen.org's 'Players to watch' series
"This doesn't feel real right now," Anisimova said after improving to 6-3 in her head-to-head against Sabalenka.
"Aryna is such a tough competitor. I was dying out there. She's such an incredible competitor, such an inspiration to me and so many other players. We had so many tough battles and to come out on top today to get into the final at Wimbledon is incredibly special," added the American, who saved 11 of 14 break points in the semifinal. "The atmosphere was special today. I know she's No. 1 but so many were cheering for me so I just want to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone."
After notching her sixth career Top 5 win, Anisimova could break into that elite group by claiming her first Grand Slam title. Two years after taking the bulk of the 2023 season off for a mental health break from tennis—and six years after reaching her first major semifinal at Roland Garros 2019—Anisimova is guaranteed to enter the Top 10 for the first time behind her final run.
Amanda Anisimova advances to her first Grand Slam final. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images.
"To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon I would not believe you. Especially not this soon," said Anisimova, who returned to the WTA Tour at the start of the 2024 season. "It's been a year's turnaround. So many dream of competing on this court. To be in the final is just indescribable, honestly."
Taylor Fritz will hope to match Anisimova by reaching the men's singles final when he takes on Carlos Alcaraz on Friday. The last time Americans featured in both Wimbledon singles finals was 2009, when Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams and Andy Roddick fell to Roger Federer in the title matches. Anisimova, 23, is also the youngest American women's singles finalist at Wimbledon since Serena in 2004.
For more from London, including complete draws and schedules, visit Wimbledon's official website.
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