Stunning U.S. Open upset isn't just about Iga Swiatek's struggles

The post-match narrative could focus on how Swiatek, 24, hasn't looked like herself throughout much of the 2025 season. The Pole has won just two singles titles after winning five in 2024. That could be failing to see the whole picture.

Anisimova deserves credit for her resurgence

Anisimova, 24, went on a mental health break during the 2023 season. By the end of the year, she fell to No. 359 in the world. Since then, she has clawed back to the top of the sport. 

She won the Qatar Open in February and reached the Wimbledon final in July, where she lost to Swiatek 6-0, 6-0 in 57 minutes. The loss stung for the American. Anisimova burst into tears during her interview following the match.

The emotional loss clearly taught Anisimova how to rebound from failure, which proved pivotal in her rematch against Swiatek. Per the U.S. Open website, she won 24 of 34 first-serve points (71% to 70%) and 14 of 27 second-serve points (52% to 33%). 

"I've been having the run of my life here," Anisimova said while smiling in a post-match interview. "This has been such a dream. To come back from Wimbledon like that, yeah, it's really special to me."

Anisimova will face No. 23 seed Naomi Osaka in the semifinals on Thursday. If she wins her next match, it would mark the first time she has reached the U.S. Open final.

Swiatek's struggles should be a storyline after the match, but so should the run of Anisimova's life.