Amanda Anisimova defeats World No. 1 Sabalenka to reach Wimbledon final, secures $2m payday
Amanda Anisimova’s improbable Wimbledon fairytale has reached its climax: the 22-year-old American, once outside the top 180 and absent from the sport just a year ago, has defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam final. The upset victory under the Centre Court lights cements Anisimova’s remarkable resurgence and guarantees her at least $2.1 million in prize money, with the potential for $4.1 million should she win Saturday’s final.
Just over a year ago, Amanda Anisimova was ranked No. 189 and failed to qualify for Wimbledon’s main draw. She had announced an indefinite break from tennis in 2023, citing the need to focus on her mental health. Fast forward to July 2025, and the American is now one win away from becoming the third different U.S. woman to win a Grand Slam this season.
“If you told me I’d be in the final at Wimbledon, I wouldn’t have believed you — at least not this soon,” Anisimova said in disbelief after the match. “It’s been a year of incredible turnaround.”
Match Recap: A Rollercoaster Three-Setter
How Amanda Anisimova played
- First Set: Anisimova opened with controlled aggression, breaking Sabalenka’s rhythm with her deep groundstrokes and angled returns. She took the set 6-4, capitalizing on early nerves from the Belarusian.
- Second Set: Sabalenka, a two-time Slam finalist in 2025 already (Australian Open and Roland Garros), roared back with her trademark power. She dominated the baseline and stormed through the set 6-1.
- Deciding Set: With momentum shifting constantly, Anisimova surged ahead 4-1 before Sabalenka clawed back to 4-4. But it was the American who held her nerve, breaking once more to close out the match 6-4, her sixth win in nine career meetings against Sabalenka.
Anisimova, visibly emotional, turned to the crowd and covered her mouth in shock after the final point. The win was her second Grand Slam semifinal appearance and her first since the 2019 French Open.
American Women Dominating 2025 Grand Slams
With Anisimova’s breakthrough, American women have now reached all four of the most recent Grand Slam finals:
- Coco Gauff – 2025 French Open champion
- Madison Keys – 2025 Australian Open champion
- Jessica Pegula – 2024 US Open finalist
- Amanda Anisimova – 2025 Wimbledon finalist
Should Anisimova win on Saturday, she will join Gauff and Keys as American major champions in 2025 — a remarkable run for the U.S. women’s tennis resurgence.
Read also: Sabalenka criticises Anisimova behaviour after shock Wimbledon exit
Anisimova will now compete for the 2025 Wimbledon crown in her first career Grand Slam final, facing the winner of the second semi-final between Belinda Bencic and Mirra Andreeva.
Her run to the final includes victories over:
- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (QF)
- Aryna Sabalenka (SF)
- Plus strong early-round wins in the second week
Key Stats & Takeaways
- Prize Money Secured: $2.1 million (runner-up); $4.1 million (champion)
- Previous Wimbledon appearances: Failed to qualify in 2024
- Head-to-Head vs Sabalenka: 6 wins, 3 losses
- Grand Slam Finals: First appearance
SportsLigue