US Open tennis 2025: Amanda Anisimova upsets Iga Świątek in straight sets to move through to semifinals

American Amanda Anisimova has upset Iga Świątek 6-4, 6-3 in the US Open quarterfinals, less than two months after losing to the six-time grand slam champion in the Wimbledon final 6-0, 6-0.

The number eight-seeded Anisimova reached her third major semifinal and first at Flushing Meadows.

"To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me," said Anisimova, a 24-year-old who was born in New Jersey and grew up in Florida.

"I feel like I worked so hard to try and turn around from that … Today is really special."

The powerful strokes and poise she displayed in Arthur Ashe Stadium against number two Świątek — the 2022 US Open champion — were such a striking contrast to what happened at the All England Club's Centre Court on July 12.

That title match lasted just 57 minutes, and Anisimova only managed to win 24 points that day, a total she eclipsed about midway through the first set this time.

Anisimova cried during her runner-up speech during the trophy ceremony at Wimbledon; after this match, though, she was all smiles while addressing thousands of supportive spectators who kept interrupting her on-court interview with cheers.

"Playing here is so freaking special," Anisimova said.

Demon's US Open run ends in quarters Photo shows Alex de Mianur playing a backhand tennis shot, with one hand, outstretched It is heartbreak for Alex de Minaur once again at the US Open, as the Australian fails to break through to the semifinals at a major for the first time in his career.

"And I've been having the run of my life here."

Anisimova served first and got broken immediately when she lost three points in a row by missing forehands — one into the net, one wide, one long.

But Anisimova broke right back and soon was the one dictating points with her strong, flat groundstrokes that wound up contributing to 23 total winners, 10 more than Świątek accumulated.

Anisimova also played quite cleanly, making just 12 unforced errors.

In the second set, Anisimova fell behind again, this time 2-0.

But she again regrouped and quickly gained the upper hand. Świątek was the one looking increasingly frustrated, shaking her head or slumping her shoulders between points, spreading her arms wide and looking to her coach for advice, and leaning back in her changeover chair as if pondering what, exactly, she could do differently.

When Świątek double-faulted to trail 5-3 in the second set, that allowed Anisimova to serve out the victory.

"From the get-go, I was trying to fire myself up," Anisimova said.

"She is one of the toughest players I've ever played. I knew I was going to have to dig deep."

Anisimova will try to reach a second consecutive major final when she faces four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka or Karolina Muchová in the semifinals.

The ABC of SPORT Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.

AP

Click here to read article