NEW YORK: American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova produced a stunning upset of Iga Swiatek to reach the semifinals of the US Open on Wednesday and avenge her Wimbledon final drubbing.
Anisimova — who suffered a crushing 6-0, 6-0 defeat as Swiatek clinched her first Wimbledon title in July — bounced back from that double-bagel disaster to win 6-4, 6-3 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Polish second seed Swiatek entered the US Open as the bookmakers’ favorite after following up her triumph at Wimbledon with victory in the WTA Cincinnati Open event last month.
But the six-time Grand Slam champion’s hopes of adding a second US Open title to her collection were dashed as Anisimova roared to a redemptive victory in an absorbing one hour 36-minute battle.
“To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me,” said Anisimova, who clinched victory in the second set after a net cord bounced in her favor on match point.
“I feel like I worked so hard to turn it around after that... I knew I was going to have to dig really deep. It was such a tough match, truly a battle for me,” added the American, whose lopsided loss at Wimbledon was only the third Grand Slam final in history where a player had lost without winning a game.
Wednesday’s quarter-final had started ominously for Anisimova, with the American being broken in the first game of the opening set to give Swiatek the early initiative.
But Anisimova responded immediately to break and get it back on serve.
Anisimova was under pressure though in the fifth game, finding herself two break points down at 15-40. She dug herself out of that hole to hold for a 3-2 lead.
The breakthrough game in the 10th game when Swiatek’s shaky serve once again left her in trouble at 15-40 down to leave Anisimova with two set points.
Swiatek saved the first but then slashed a wild forehand long to the back of the court to give Anisimova a one-set lead.
Swiatek attempted to regroup in the second set and got an early break before opening up a 2-0 lead.
But Anisimova once again exploited Swiatek’s weakness on serve to break back.
Another net cord in Anisimova’s favor gave her a 4-3 lead, and then Swiatek double-faulted on break point to leave her opponent serving for the match.
Anisimova raced to 40-0 to take three match points, and although Swiatek saved the first two, the tennis gods were clearly on her rival’s side as another net cord bounced just out of Swiatek’s reach to seal victory.
The 24-year-old Anisimova will play two-time former US Open champion Naomi Osaka or Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova on Thursday for a place in the final.
Anisimova stuns Swiatek to reach US Open semifinals
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Anisimova stuns Swiatek to reach US Open semifinals
- The 24-year-old Anisimova will play two-time former US Open champion Naomi Osaka or Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova on Thursday for a place in the final
Sharjah Warriorz edge MI Emirates by 6 runs to seal first win of ILT20 season
- A composed 77 from Johnson Charles, backed up by a decisive all-round contribution from stand-in captain Sikander Raza, proved the difference
ABU DHABI: Sharjah Warriorz claimed their first victory of International League T20 Season 4 after edging MI Emirates by 6 runs in a tense encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
A composed 77 from Johnson Charles, backed up by a decisive all-round contribution from stand-in captain Sikander Raza, proved the difference as the Warriorz successfully defended a target of 175.
Charles anchored the Warriorz innings with a measured knock off 53 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes as his side posted 174 for 3.
MI Emirates looked on course in the chase after a strong start, but timely breakthroughs in the middle overs swung momentum back towards the Warriorz, rendering Nicholas Pooran’s late assault in vain.
Chasing 175, MI Emirates were given early impetus by openers Jonny Bairstow and Muhammad Waseem. The pair raced to a 50 partnership inside the powerplay, taking their side to 54 without loss after six overs, with Waseem particularly aggressive against Maheesh Theekshana.
The turning point came in the middle overs as Raza struck twice to halt the chase.
He removed Bairstow in the eighth over before dismissing Waseem two overs later, triggering a collapse that saw MI Emirates lose wickets at regular intervals.
Matheesha Pathirana accounted for Tom Banton, before Junaid Siddique struck twice in the 15th over to remove Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd, leaving MI Emirates under mounting pressure. Despite Pooran’s valiant 48 off 35 balls, including three sixes in the final over, Siddique held his nerve to concede only 18 runs and seal a narrow victory.
Earlier, Charles set the tone after a cautious start, breaking free with a 17-run third over. Alongside Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 30, the opener ensured the Warriorz reached 48 without loss in the powerplay before accelerating through the middle overs.
Charles brought up his half-century in the 10th over as the opening pair added 112 runs, laying a strong platform. Although both fell in quick succession, Raza ensured the innings maintained momentum with 29 off 22 balls, while James Rew added a brisk 24. The Warriorz closed on 174 for 3, with Zahoor Khan bowling a tight final over.
MI Emirates skipper Pollard said: “It was a good wicket and 175 was a fair total, so I have no complaints about the score they posted. It was a game we should have finished. We’ve been the slowest side in overs seven to 15, and while this loss is disappointing, it’s not all negative. We lost by six runs, the result didn’t go our way, but we did fight back.”
Sharjah Warriorz stand-in captain Raza said that he was pleased with the clarity and courage his side showed in their innings.
“The feedback was that it was a slow surface, so trying to push for 195 and ending up with 160 could have hurt us. When the team wins, everything feels better, and in a crunch game like this, I’m glad we crossed the line,” he added.
