WTA Finals: Ruthless Amanda Anisimova sends Iga Swiatek packing to reach semifinals

Amanda Anisimova staged a notable comeback against Iga Swiatek and guaranteed her spot in the WTA Finals semifinals. The World No. 4 overcame Swiatek for the second consecutive time, despite losing the first set. The American joins Elena Rybakina in the semifinals as the second qualifier from the group.

On paper, it was difficult to establish a favorite, considering a 1-1 head-to-head record and the fact that both arrived at the decisive match with similar results: a win against Keys and a loss against Rybakina. The fact that the experience was on the Pole's side — the 2023 champion who was playing her 5th consecutive WTA Finals — did little good, as she ultimately lost to the only debutante in the draw.

Anisimova, for her part, continues to gain ground in the final part of the year, and the possibility of finishing the year as the American No. 1 is beginning to emerge. For that to happen, Anisimova will have to reach at least the final and hope that Gauff — the defending champion — is eliminated in the Round Robin.

Now, Anisimova awaits the winner of the Steffi Graf Group to find out her next opponent. Currently, the American would face Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, while Elena Rybakina — as the winner of the Serena Williams Group — would face Gauff. However, Jessica Pegula still has a good chance of qualifying if she manages a win in the final match, meaning the classification order still has a high probability of changing.

Both players knew they were fighting for their last chance to qualify for the semifinals and played with conviction from the serve. Both players won over 70% of points on the first serve and above 50% on the second, maintaining stability on both sides with the serve. Although Swiatek started by saving a break point against her in the first game, she managed to pick up the pace as the minutes passed.

However, the Pole — arguably the most effective player from the return on the WTA Tour — couldn't trouble her opponent. Around 4-4, Anisimova had another break opportunity, while at 5-5 she added two more chances, but Swiatek managed to escape unscathed. In a battle of nerves, everything extended into the tie-break, where the 6-time major champion showed her experience to take an early lead and stay ahead until she closed the first set 7-6(3).

Swiatek won a tight set and quickly addressed the chair umpire to request that a person in the crowd, who was apparently causing distractions, be removed. “He’s disturbing the game,” she said. “He’s disturbing the game between first and second serve,” said the World No. 2.

The start of the second set saw good moments of tennis for Swiatek, who soon found herself with three break opportunities, although she couldn't convert them. Things remained even, again with both players delivering solid service games, though Anisimova took more risks on the return, especially against her opponent's second serves.

The American's aggression paid off, and when she was up 5-4 with her opponent serving, Anisimova got her first break point of the set, which she ultimately converted to take the set. Anisimova's forehands were key against a Swiatek who could not contain her opponent's power.

The state of Swiatek's morale became evident as it dipped heading into the third set. In her first service game, she was forced to save three break points against her, while Anisimova didn't lose focus on her own serve. The American showed conviction and ended up getting the crucial break that put her ahead in the 4th game — after forcing 6 break points in the set.

The American simply gave no opportunities with her serve for the rest of the set. A 91% first serve percentage and 76% effectiveness with those serves made it nearly impossible for the Pole to get back into the match. Swiatek had a single break opportunity when the score was 2-4, but she couldn't convert it. Finally, Anisimova maintained her composure and finished by closing out the victory: 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 after two hours and 37 minutes. The 24-year-old joins Rybakina in the semifinals, while they await the conclusion of the Steffi Graf Group to determine their opponents. Meanwhile, Swiatek ends her season as the World No. 2.