On Court No. 3 at Wimbledon, in a spirited Fourth of July clash, 13th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova prevailed over Hungary’s Dalma Galfi 6–3, 5–7, 6–3.

The two players bore a striking resemblance—both tall and athletic, with similar white dresses and matching white visors. Galfi, blonde and just under six feet, looked not unlike Anisimova herself. Anisimova’s normally blonde hair is a bit darker now, a light brown, but the visual symmetry between them added an extra layer of intrigue to the match.

From the outset, the American’s game was a masterclass in pressure play. She stalked the baseline with purpose, stepping inside the court to rob the Hungarian of time.

Her backhand down-the-line was sublime—her signature shot, executed with confidence—while her forehand balanced heavy depth and speed with a calm willingness to wait. She’d rally patiently, wait for an opening, and change direction with precision.

Asked about her backhand—now the subject of online admiration bordering on cult status—Anisimova smiled and said, “Yeah, of course, I’ve heard a lot of people tell me that, like, they really like my backhand or it’s one of the best shots.

Joanna Chan - AP
 

“I think it’s one of my best shots, but I’m still also trying to improve other aspects of my game, like my serve. I feel like my forehand has improved a lot, as well.”

The Hungarian’s serve was her strength. Her first serves regularly landed around 114 mph, peaking at 117, and she hit her spots with confidence. There were some dips—especially in the third set—but overall, it held up well under pressure.

Positioning told much of the story: Galfi played several feet behind the baseline—safe but reactive—while Anisimova stayed up on the baseline, taking returns early and cutting off time.

Anisimova’s timing was exquisite, her movement fluid. Watching her step in again and again, it was clear how effectively she was taking control of the rhythm and keeping her opponent under constant pressure.

She added variety where needed with drop shots, drop volleys, and by mixing in her backhand slice. But the tone of the match never strayed far from her baseline aggression. It was that pressure—relentless, forward-moving—that ultimately made the difference.

Statistically, Anisimova came through in the key moments. She converted five of ten break points and saved seven of ten.

Galfi converted three of ten and saved five of ten.

The Hungarian struck eight aces to Anisimova’s two and limited herself to just three double faults, while the American had eight.

Still, Anisimova led in winners—29 to Galfi’s 20—though she also had more unforced errors, 45 to 35.

The sun-drenched afternoon had the backdrop of St. Mary’s Church behind Court No. 3, adding a serene contrast to the intensity unfolding below. A cool breeze moved softly through the stands, and the conditions were near perfect for grass-court tennis.

Early in the third set, in the spirit of the occasion, a champagne bottle popped open just as Anisimova was about to serve. She halted her motion, visibly frustrated, and said something to the umpire.

After the point, the umpire made a very Wimbledon-esque announcement: “Would you avoid opening bottles of champagne when the players are about to serve?” Only at Wimbledon.

“It kept happening,” Anisimova said afterward, smiling. “At some point I was, like, Can everybody just do it on the changeover? It was definitely a bit distracting…but I love the atmosphere and the energy and the crowd supporting me, so it’s been good.”

With many top seeds falling in the early rounds, Anisimova was asked how she deals with the shifting landscape of the draw. “I feel like maybe I feel a little bit of pressure because obviously you feel like the opportunity is there,” she said. “At the end of the day I keep reminding myself to just focus on the present…enjoy the moment, trust my game.”

And for Anisimova, that focus still circles back to the biggest goal. “Of course, that’s always the goal of a professional tennis player,” she said of winning a Grand Slam. “And it’s still something that I’m really chasing.”