Amanda Anisimova outplays Iga Swiatek to reach WTA Finals semifinals
After a marathon match lasting 2 hours and 36 minutes — the longest of the week — Amanda Anisimova triumphed over Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, earning a place in the semifinals against Elena Rybakina.
Clear stakes at the King Saud University Indoor Arena
At this late stage of the round-robin, potential scenarios often become complicated. But Wednesday night offered clarity. Elena Rybakina had already secured the top spot in the Serena Williams Group with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova. The final semifinal berth was left to be decided between Anisimova and Swiatek.
A hard-fought three-set battle
In one of the most dynamic matches of the tournament, Anisimova rallied to claim victory with a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 result. Her composure and precision grew stronger as the contest went on, turning the tide in her favor.
Post-match reflections
“No, I don’t think I was surprised or shocked at any point in the match,” Anisimova said. “I knew it was going to be really tough, and I was preparing for that. Yeah, I think I just tried to enjoy it. I feel like I belong at this point and I’ve played a lot of tough matches this year. And I know if I can play my best tennis, I can give it my best shot.”
Looking ahead
Anisimova now moves on to face Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, carrying strong momentum and renewed confidence after two consecutive wins over Swiatek.
Author’s summary: Anisimova battled past Swiatek in a thrilling three-set clash in Riyadh, showing resilience and poise to secure her place in the WTA Finals semifinals against Rybakina.