Quick Read
- Amanda Anisimova defeated world No 2 Iga Swiatek 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
- The victory secured Anisimova a place in the semi-finals, joining Elena Rybakina.
- Anisimova avenged her Wimbledon loss to Swiatek and continued her strong run after beating Swiatek at the US Open.
- Swiatek exits the tournament at the group stage despite winning the first set.
- The WTA Finals continue with key matches, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff.
A Clash of Rising Stars: Anisimova vs Swiatek at the WTA Finals
For Amanda Anisimova, the WTA Finals in Riyadh marked not just a debut, but a test of resilience and ambition. Facing world No 2 Iga Swiatek—her nemesis from the 2025 Wimbledon final—Anisimova stepped onto the King Saud University Sports Arena court with the weight of recent history pressing down. Swiatek had crushed Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in July to claim her maiden Wimbledon crown, a scoreline that lingered in the minds of tennis fans and pundits alike.
This time, however, Anisimova refused to let the past dictate the present. From the very first point, both players showed nerves of steel. The match opened with twelve straight holds of serve—neither giving an inch, neither blinking first. Swiatek’s footwork was electric, her baseline defense relentless. But Anisimova matched her for intensity, sending powerful groundstrokes and clutch serves whistling across the court.
Setbacks and Surges: The Drama Unfolds
The first set became a war of attrition. Every rally felt like a new battle; every break point a chance for momentum to shift. Swiatek finally seized control in the tiebreak, capitalizing when Anisimova sent a forehand long. The Polish star pumped her fist, knowing she had taken the early edge. For Anisimova, it was a familiar script—start strong, fall just short.
But the American wasn’t finished. As the second set began, Anisimova dug deeper. Her forehand, a weapon often feared by opponents, began to find its mark with increasing regularity. The rallies grew longer, the tension higher. Swiatek looked comfortable until the tenth game, when Anisimova ramped up the pressure. With a combination of heavy returns and bold net approaches, she earned the first break of the match, clinching the set 6-4 and forcing a decider.
“I told myself to just go for it today. You can’t really hold back against Iga,” Anisimova told Sky Sports after the match. Her determination was palpable—she knew this was her moment to rewrite the narrative.
Turning Point: Anisimova’s Relentless Final Push
The third set saw Anisimova shift into another gear. Confidence flowing from her second set comeback, she broke Swiatek early to go 3-1 up. The pressure was now on the world No 2, and the American sensed vulnerability. Swiatek’s serve, usually her safety net, began to falter under Anisimova’s aggressive returns. A double fault from Swiatek handed Anisimova a crucial break, and the American never looked back.
As the match neared its conclusion, Anisimova’s composure was striking. She held her serve with authority, mixing aces with sharp groundstrokes. On match point, she whipped a forehand return that left Swiatek motionless—an exclamation mark on a performance defined by grit and belief. The final score read 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2.
This victory not only avenged her Wimbledon defeat, but also continued a pattern: Anisimova had now beaten Swiatek twice since July, including a critical win in the US Open quarter-finals. For the 24-year-old, it was more than a win—it was a statement.
Implications for the Tournament and Anisimova’s Future
With this win, Anisimova secured a spot in the semi-finals, joining Elena Rybakina—who earlier defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4 despite the group’s lineup being reshuffled due to Madison Keys’ withdrawal and Mirra Andreeva’s fitness concerns. The American remains in contention for her first WTA Finals crown, a remarkable achievement on her championship debut.
For Swiatek, the loss marked another disappointment after a season of highs and lows. Despite entering as one of the favorites and taking the first set with confidence, she found herself undone by Anisimova’s relentless pressure and tactical adjustments. The defeat means Swiatek exits at the group stage, a surprise given her recent form and pedigree.
Elsewhere, the tournament continues to deliver drama. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are set to battle for another semi-final spot, while Jessica Pegula hopes to capitalize on her chances against Jasmine Paolini. The unpredictability and depth of talent on display at the WTA Finals serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change at the elite level.
The Human Story: Rivalries, Redemption, and Resilience
What makes Anisimova’s victory compelling isn’t just the scoreline—it’s the journey. A few months ago, she was on the receiving end of a historic Wimbledon rout. But rather than shrink from the challenge, she adapted, learned, and came back stronger. Her ability to withstand Swiatek’s early barrage, recover from setbacks, and seize the big moments speaks to a mental toughness that defines champions.
Sports, at their core, are about more than physical skill. They are about narrative—the struggle, the redemption, and the possibility of change. Anisimova’s win is a testament to this. It’s a reminder that the past does not dictate the future, and that every match offers a new chance for reinvention.
The tennis world now turns its attention to the semi-finals, where Anisimova will look to continue her run. Whether she lifts the trophy or not, her performance in Riyadh has already reshaped expectations and inspired a new wave of belief—both in herself and among her supporters.
In a year where dominance has often shifted from match to match, Amanda Anisimova’s victory over Iga Swiatek stands as a striking example of resilience and tactical evolution. By overcoming the psychological burden of a past defeat, she has positioned herself as a genuine contender—not just for this tournament, but for future Grand Slam success.