Watch: Aryna Sabalenka Stops Wimbledon Semifinal Against Amanda Anisimova to Help Fainting Fan

Even during Carlos Alcaraz‘s first-round clash with Fabio Fognini, an elderly spectator collapsed under the scorching sun and the Spaniard offered her a bottle of water. Temperatures on that day crossed 32 degrees Celsius and it was also the hottest-ever opening day at Wimbledon.

While Alcaraz will be battling for a spot in the final for the third consecutive time on July 11, Sabalenka will be hoping to take home the grass-court Major next year. The Belarusian fought hard till the end but it was the American ace who prevailed with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 scoreline.

Amanda Anisimova has reached a Grand Slam final for the first time after beating Aryna Sabalenka

Before this Wimbledon Championships, Amanda Anisimova had never played a Grand Slam final, and only once she had played in the semifinal (at the 2019 French Open). At Wimbledon, Anisimova’s best performance before this season came in 2022 when she made it to the semifinals.

It was Aryna Sabalenka‘s sixth defeat to the 23-year-old in their ninth encounter. Twice they have now met this year, with their first meeting being a round of 16 clash at the French Open, which Sabalenka won before reaching her first final in the clay-court Major and losing it to Coco Gauff in three sets.

This doesn’t feel real right now. Aryna is such a tough competitor. I was absolutely dying out there. I don’t know how I pulled it out. She’s an inspiration to me and so many other people. We’ve had so many tough battles.

Amanda Anisimova said during her on-court interview

The World No.1 has now failed to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time this year. Sabalenka, for the third time this year, lost to three different American players in Grand Slam events. Before Gauff and Anisimova, Madison Keys denied the 27-year-old her third consecutive victory at the Australian Open with a three-set win in the final.

To come on top today and be in the Wimbledon final is so incredibly special. The atmosphere was incredible. I know she’s No.1. But a lot of people were cheering for me. I just wanna say a huge thank you to everyone.

Amanda Anisimova added

Sabalenka was chasing her fourth title of the season, following her wins in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. She was also bidding to reach her eighth final of the season.

Sabalenka has not yet lifted a grass-court title, though twice she has played finals on the surface. Before Wimbledon, Sabalenka kick-started her campaign on the grass swing at the Berlin Open but was defeated in the semifinal by eventual winner Marketa Vondrousova.

Anisimova, on the other hand, played two tournaments on the surface. She reached the final of the Queen’s Club Championships but the tournament ended in the favor of Tatjana Maria. At the Berlin Open next, she lost to Liudmila Samsonova.

Anisimova is now waiting for the result of the second semifinal between Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic. The Pole, last month, reached a grass-court final for the first time (at the Bad Homburg Open) and has secured a spot in the Wimbledon semifinal for the first time. Bencic too has reached the last four at Wimbledon for the first time in her career.