Aryna Sabalenka has once again failed to reach the Wimbledon final. The world number one surprisingly lost to American Amanda Anisimova on Thursday.
It ended 6-4, 4-6, and 6-4 for the world number twelve. For the 27-year-old Sabalenka, it was the third time she has been in the semi-finals at Wimbledon and also the third time she has lost.
For Anisimova, it was the first time she has played in a semi-final at Wimbledon. Six years ago, she reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros. She will be in the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time on Saturday. Her opponent will be Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic.
The 23-year-old Anisimova surprised Sabalenka in the first set by taking a break to lead 5-4 and then winning the set on her own serve. Sabalenka, who has won the Australian Open twice and Roland Garros once in her career, fought back in the second set.
She broke Anisimova’s serve at 3-3 and finished the set on her own serve, although she needed five set points to do so. In the third set, Anisimova took a 4-1 lead with two breaks. Although Sabalenka kept trying to get back into the set, Anisimova held on.
Anisimova is coached at Wimbledon by the Dutchmen Rick Vleeshouwers (coach) and Rob Brandsma (physical trainer). The other semi-final between Bencic and Swiatek will be played later on Thursday.
