Amanda Anisimova Reveals Watching the Double Bagel Wimbledon Defeat to Iga Swiatek Before Playing her in the US Open Quarterfinals

After defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, little did anyone expect that Amanda Anisimova would face a double bagel defeat at the Wimbledon final. Moreover, it came against Iga Swiatek, who, albeit having won five Grand Slam titles prior to that, was on a year-long title drought and had never won a grass court title before.

Although Swiatek was the clear favorite to win the match, perhaps a game or two from Anisimova’s side was expected. This marked only the second time a double bagel had occurred in a Grand Slam final in the Open Era.

Nearly two months later at the US Open, another unexpected turn of events unfolded. Anisimova and Swiatek were set for a quarterfinal clash, with Swiatek in her ‘productive girl summer’ mode, having clinched her maiden Cincinnati Open title a few weeks back and also a runner-up finish alongside Casper Ruud at the US Open mixed doubles.

Swiatek, who did not face any break points in their previous match, was expected to win this time again in straight sets, if not producing another bagel. But Anisimova left no stone unturned to avenge the most one-sided Wimbledon final defeat in the Open Era with a surprising straight-set victory this time. The American had done solid homework before the match, reviewing the Wimbledon final, which she spoke about during the press conference:

I watched it last night to see what I could do to avoid what happened or see what I did wrong… I was slow as hell. My reactions were just—I was so slow. But I mean, it happens; like, I’m a human, and some people just freeze sometimes. I was also exhausted. I was really fatigued into those last days of the tournament, and that’s definitely something I’m working on…being more physically fit to last two weeks in a Grand Slam.

Swiatek started the quarterfinal match by breaking Anisimova in the first game. But Anisimova quickly broke Swiatek back in the next game, ending expectations early on for a bagel this time. At 4-4, Swiatek forced deuce on an impressive 17-shot rally; however, she went on to lose the game due to a forehand error. She made another forehand error in the next game to give away the set to Anisimova.

In the next set, Anisimova came down from 0-2 to lead 4-3 with the assistance of a net cord and then broke for 5-3 on Swiatek’s double fault. The American sealed the match on her third match point in the next game with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-3 to advance to her maiden US Open semifinal.

Swiatek couldn’t deal with the pressure that Anisimova put on her along with her opponent’s electrifying home crowd, who would cheer thunderously on every point Anisimova won. Unlike the nervous Anisimova everyone saw at Wimbledon, the American was quick, aggressive, and precise this time as she outclassed Swiatek with her return and second serve.

However, Swiatek later in an Instagram post also opened up about a foot issue that she had to manage throughout her run in New York and is now looking to rest and recover for the Asia swing. Anisimova and Swiatek will both next compete at the WTA 500 Korea Open later this month.

Amanda Anisimova will meet two-time champion Naomi Osaka in the US Open semifinal

Amanda Anisimova is one of the two American women at the US Open semifinal this year. Anisimova will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the semifinal. Osaka has been in great form during the North American hard court swing. At the Canadian Open, she reached her first WTA 1000 final since the 2022 Miami Open, and at the US Open, she reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2021.