Appearing in her maiden Grand Slam final, things didn’t quite go to plan for Amanda Anisimova in London earlier this year.
Just two months ago, Anisimova lost to Iga Swiatek 0-6, 0-6, in the Wimbledon final, suffering one of the most comprehensive defeats in tournament history.
Bouncing back, Anisimova returned to Grand Slam action at the US Open, making a strong run through to the quarterfinals, picking up wins over Kimberly Birrell, Maya Joint, Jaqueline Cristian, and Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Offered a chance at revenge over the Pole, the number-eight seed didn’t need to be asked twice, as Anisimova stunned Swiatek in straight sets to book her place in the last four.
During her post-match interview, a delighted Anisimova shared how much it meant for her to secure the win.
Amanda Anisimova says her win over Iga Swiatek was ‘really special’
Asked what was different about her win over Swiatek at Flushing Meadows from her defeat at SW19, Anisimova reflected on a dream US Open run.
“Playing here is so fricking special, I’ve been having the run of my life here,” she said.
“The first day I got here, I was like, let’s try to get through one round, but this has been such a dream, to come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me.
“I feel like I worked so hard to try turn around from that, and I mean, today proved everything for me, I can do it, so it’s really special.”
Providing more resistance than she did at Wimbledon, Anisimova bravely fought back from an early break in both sets.
“I mean, from the get-go I was trying to fire myself up, she’s one of the toughest players I’ve ever played, I knew I was going to have to dig really deep, and it was such a tough match,” she said.
“I know the scoreline wasn’t three sets or anything, but it truly was a battle for me.”
Winning the ‘battle’, Anisimova proved all those who doubted her after Wimbledon wrong.
One woman who never doubted her was Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, who was pleased to see Anisimova make her way through to the semifinals.
Marion Bartoli claims Amanda Anisimova was ‘too good’ for Iga Swiatek
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, former Wimbledon champion Bartoli commented on Anisimova’s win.
“That’s why we wanted and anticipated that match so much, because we knew the final factor was out of the equation today, and that makes such a big change, a massive change,” she said.
“There is a gap between playing a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam and a final of a Grand Slam.”
The 40-year-old was particularly impressed with Anisimova’s level, which needed to be high, playing against a player of Swiatek’s calibre.
“It was just too good from Amanda Anisimova,” said Bartoli.
“I felt Iga actually did extremely well to stay so close on the scoreboard, because Anisimova was hitting winners after winners, barely missing anything.
“She brought it out today on the court.”
Playing one of the best matches of her professional career, Anisimova qualified for her maiden US Open semifinal, where she will play either Karolina Muchova or Naomi Osaka.
Amanda Anisimova’s head-to-head record against Naomi Osaka and Karolina Muchova
In total, Anisimova has played three matches against Muchova and Osaka, and is yet to taste defeat against either player.
- 2022 Australian Open 3R – Amanda Anisimova defeated Naomi Osaka, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6
- 2022 French Open 1R – Amanda Anisimova defeated Naomi Osaka, 7-5, 6-4
- 2022 French Open 3R – Amanda Anisimova defeated Karolina Muchova, 6-7, 6-2, 3-0 (RET)
Anisimova secured three Grand Slam victories over the pair in 2022, defeating both players en route to the fourth round of Roland Garros.
Both Muchova and Osaka have looked strong in New York, however, and will surely be up for the challenge in the semifinals.
Muchova and Osaka will contest their quarterfinal match in Wednesday’s night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the winner advancing to play Anisimova in the semifinals on Thursday, September 4.
