Anisimova subdues Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 to reach maiden US Open semifinal

Amanda Anisimova has reached new heights this season, winning her first WTA 1000 event in Doha, breaking into the top ten, and reaching her first grand slam final at Wimbledon.
While her performance at the All England Club was a straight sets double bagel loss to world #2 Iga Swiatek, she flipped the script in Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the penultimate round at her home slam. The twenty-four-year-old  New Jersey native competed exceedingly well to dispatch the six-time grand slam champion.

Although she was broken in her opening service game, she got the break back after Swiatek gifted multiple unforced errors. Anisimova made 3/4 first serves and held at love to consolidate the break, while the former world #1 held to 30 to level.

Anisimova faced a double break point and deuce, but with two consecutive winners, including a second serve ace, held for 3-2, while Swiatek faced deuce but held with two consecutive winners, including an ace up the tee.

Photo: Javier Rojas/PI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
 

The American made 3/4 first serves and held at love for the second time, while Swiatek, serving with new balls, struggled. The 2022 US Open champion seemed unsettled as she missed six consecutive first serves, faced a break point following a double fault, yet held to level with two outstanding forehand winners.

Anisimova opened the ninth with a remarkable forehand down the line and with two additional winners, held for 5-4 while Swiatek caved under the relentless onslaught from her opponent. She faced a double break point following two errant backhands and conceded the set with an overcooked forehand.

Anisimova served first in the second and dumped serve following three consecutive unforced errors, including a double fault. Swiatek struck an ace up the tee and held to 30 to consolidate the break. Anisimova made 4/6 first serves and held to 30 to get on the board.

Swiatek faced a double break point following a spectacular inside-in forehand from Anisimova and dropped serve with a netted backhand. The world #9 hit a 107mph ace up the tee and, following an all-out slugfest, secured the game after Swiatek netted another backhand.

The former world #1 serving with new balls appeared rushed and anxious as she continued to toil. Despite missing 4/6 first serves, she held to 30 for 3-3. Anisimova opened the seventh with a monster serve out wide and with two groundstroke winners, held to 30 for 4-3.

Swiatek donated four unforced errors, including her third double fault, to dump serve. Anisimova composed herself as she stepped to the line to serve for the match. She opened with a blistering backhand crosscourt, and though she gifted another double fault, she converted her third match point with another winning backhand.

It was an extraordinary performance from a young woman determined to change the narrative. Clearly, she learned from that straight-sets defeat at Wimbledon. Time provides perspective, a partisan crowd's inspiration.

Anisimova’s serve served her well. She won 71% of first and 52% of second serve points and struck three aces to two double faults. She saved 2/4 break points while converting 4/9. She hit ten more winners than Swiatek (23/13) and three fewer unforced errors (12/15).

While only eight points separated the combatants, it felt like twenty. Anisimova played with poise and purpose while Swiatek succumbed to the pressure she relentlessly applied.
She will need to conquer another former US Open champion for the chance to win her first grand slam title. Naomi Osaka is a two-time US Open champion and, throughout this fortnight, has exhibited the level that earned her four grand slam titles.