Anisimova roars back to beat Swiatek
Amanda Anisimova fought past Iga Swiatek 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2 in a winner-takes-all match at the WTA Finals on Wednesday to join Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals and stay in the hunt for a first crown on her debut in the season-ending championship.
The stage was set for the highly-anticipated clash between the pair after Swiatek routed Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 to lift her maiden Wimbledon crown in July, before the American gained revenge in the US Open quarter-finals in September.
Following a fierce start to their latest meeting and 12 straight holds of serve, Poland’s Swiatek raised her level to seize control of the first set in the tiebreak, clinching it when Anisimova struck a forehand long.
The war of attrition continued in the second set, before Anisimova ramped up the intensity on her forehand and earned the first break of the match in the 10th game to force a decider at the King Saud University Sports Arena.
With confidence flowing, Anisimova carved out another break to surge 3-1 ahead in the third set and shift the pressure onto world No 2 Swiatek, and the resilient 24-year-old stayed firm from there and completed her comeback victory.
Rybakina earlier continued her dominant run with a 6-4, 6-4 win over second alternate Ekaterina Alexandrova, after Madison Keys withdrew from their clash with illness and Mirra Andreeva was not fit to play.
“It was tough, especially in the second set when I was up and I lost a bit of concentration,” said Rybakina.
“Ekaterina is always a tough opponent, she also has a big serve. In the beginning it was a bit difficult to return, so I’m pretty happy that I managed to win in two sets in the end.”
Rybakina arrived for the clash after victories over Anisimova and Swiatek but the former Wimbledon champion came under pressure against a fresh Alexandrova, before breaking in the ninth game and then claiming the opening set with a hold.
The Kazakh, who staved off three breakpoints in the first set, cranked up her huge serve and heavy hitting early in the second to go 3-1 up and applied the squeeze to close in on another win in the Serena Williams group.
Another break, courtesy of a powerful return of serve, left Rybakina one game away and the 26-year-old eventually wrapped up the victory despite some struggles on her own delivery late in the clash.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on Coco Gauff on Thursday with both players in contention for a semi-final place from the Steffi Graf group while Jessica Pegula can boost her own chances when she meets the eliminated Jasmine Paolini. Reuters
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That’s all from me. Thanks for joining and come back for more tomorrow, with Aryna Sabalenka to take on Coco Gauff, while Jessica Pegula meets Jasmine Paolini.
Anisimova speaks to Sky: “I told myself to just go for it today. You can’t really hold back against Iga.” She stuck to that plan pretty well.
This was four months ago.
Swiatek is out; Anisimova is into the semi-finals. For the former it is another loss after winning the first set. Anisimova, just as she did against Madison Keys, prevails in the three-setter.
Anisimova beats Swiatek 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2
Can Anisimova finish the job on Swiatek’s serve? A double fault makes it 15-30, but Anisimova misses out on Swiatek’s second serve, misfiring with her forehand. Swiatek goes out of bounds after we head into deuce … match point. Anisimova responds with one of her best returns of the night, whipping a forehand to leave Swiatek still. Wimbledon is an age ago.
Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 2-5 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova loses her balance as Swiatek takes the first point … and the second as well to make it six points in a row. Anisimova’s serve turns gigantic to make it 30-all, but Swiatek has break point after going on to the front foot. Anisimova, though, always has her strength to fall back on. She powers through her next three points to hold.
*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 2-4 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek, six slams behind her, won’t go away easily. She holds to love.
Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 1-4 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova launches a statement ace down the middle to go 30-15 up and the groundstrokes are looking bigger and bigger. She holds and it does feel like she’s closing in now.
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*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 1-3 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek’s serve is under pressure again as Anisimova pulverises a forehand return to make it 0-40. Surely, she converts one of these? She doesn’t take the first two chances … but Swiatek hands the break to her with a double fault! Huge moment.
Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 1-2 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova seems to have picked up a level, the blistering shots refusing to halt. She closes this hold with a perfectly placed backhand.
*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 1-1 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek is left statuesque by a couple of shots that don’t land too far away from her … and then comes the Anisimova backhand winner. Two break points. The first is saved by a backhand that clips the line … the second by an ace down the middle. Swiatek fires wide to give Anisimova another chance … but snatches it away. Swiatek resists to hold.
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Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-6, 0-1 Anisimova* (* denotes server): After their battles at the last two slams, it’s probably right that we head to a decider. Not much has separated them in the first two sets. Anisimova makes an impressive start to the third, an ace in the mix as she holds to 15.
Anisimova wins the second set 6-4
A double fault by Swiatek makes it 15-all, and while she scrambles hard with her backhand, Anisimova eventually gets the point, producing an opening at 15-30. At 30-all, Anisimova fires narrowly wide … but her crushing forehand takes us to deuce, Swiatek dropping a touch short with her second serve. Swiatek nets … and Anisimova has set point! The first serve is down the middle and narrowly wide … Anisimova punishes the second. We’re going to have a deciding set.
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Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-5 Anisimova* (* denotes server): The rhythm refuses to change. Anisimova, whenever faced with trouble, breaks out some thumping strokes. She holds once again, another tie-break inevitable here.
*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 4-4 Anisimova (* denotes server): Anisimova looks at her racket in mild disgust after a return goes long. Swiatek’s service remains dominant.
Swiatek 7-6 (3), 3-4 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova is up to the net to launch an overhead, making it 30-0 … before Swiatek’s backhand skims the line for 15-30. A killer backhand return follows and, at 30-all, the pressure is on Anisimova … she responds with another one of those booming forehands. She holds to 30.
*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 3-3 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek’s feet are lightning quick as she follows a serve with a winning backhand. Anisimova has failed to adequately test Swiatek’s serve in this set, her aggression prompting too many miscues … but perhaps this is the breakthrough moment, a forehand winner taking us to 30-all. Swiatek responds with a drive down the line and while Anisimova takes us to deuce, the holds continue.
Swiatek 7-6 (3), 2-3 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova nets a backhand but a forehand winner on the run makes it 15-all. A double fault takes us to 30-all before she resorts to her power game, forcing Swiatek to scramble. A vicious backhand down the line completes her hold.
*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 2-2 Anisimova (* denotes server): Anisimova is left fuming as Swiatek delivers another quick hold, this time to love.
Swiatek 7-6 (3), 1-2 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova is up to the net for a forehand volley … but she fires it wide. A deep backhand from Swiatek stumps Anisimova and it’s 15-30. Then comes the long backhand from Anisimova: two break points for Swiatek. Anisimova responds with supreme power, the racket falling out of Swiatek’s hands while defending. Swiatek is left frustrated as we head to deuce. A booming forehand by Swiatek sets up another break point … but Anisimova resists once again. This is resolute stuff from the recent US Open finalist, who battles and battles to hold, three break points saved.
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*Swiatek 7-6 (3), 1-1 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek had some tricky service games in the first set but she’s quickly up to 40-0. A return winner slows the march down but she holds to 15.
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Swiatek 7-6 (3), 0-1 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Swiatek seems a bit annoyed with someone in the crowd, making her feelings known during the break. Anisimova nails a passing shot to make it 15-all but is fuming with herself when she goes long with a forehand, making it 40-30. An excellent serve out wide ensures there’s no deuce.
Swiatek wins the first set 7-6 (3)
Swiatek’s backhand return gives her a 2-1 lead and she retreats behind the baseline to whip a forehand for 3-1. The strokes are really flying around the canvas now as another winner makes it 4-1 to Swiatek. At 5-2, Swiatek, on her serve, welcomes an Anisimova backhand into the net. Four set points for Swiatek … she gets the first wrong with a long forehand. But she takes the second chance and an edgy first set is finally over.
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Swiatek 6-6 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova is serving to stay in the set … Swiatek steps inside to hit a forehand return and make it 15-all. Anisimova goes a touch long with a backhand down the line and Swiatek sees a path forward at 15-30. But Anisimova isn’t having it. We’re going to a tie-break.
*Swiatek 6-5 Anisimova (* denotes server): Anisimova’s backhand return clips the line and it’s 0-30 … Swiatek responds with a forehand winner down the line, refusing to give in. Anisimova launches another powerful return on Swiatek’s second serve … and she has two break points. Swiatek saves the first and some staunch defence is required for the second. A huge opportunity has slipped away. Anisimova nets a backhand … but we’re back to deuce after she wallops a winner. Swiatek refuses to panic and secures another tough hold.
Swiatek 5-5 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova roars once again after a forehand escapes the reach of Swiatek’s backhand, making it 30-15. The American holds to keep this set nice and tense.
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*Swiatek 5-4 Anisimova (* denotes server): Anisimova flies to pull off a thunderous forehand return and she is pumped to move to 15-30, sensing an opening. Swiatek whips the forehand of the night to make it 30-all though, resisting when she appeared trapped by a fine return. Anisimova laces a forehand: break point … but Swiatek quickly escapes trouble, an ace taking her to advantage. Swiatek defends brilliantly on her backhand but Anisimova’s power brings us back to deuce. Swiatek is victorious at the net to pull off a battling hold.
Swiatek 4-4 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova fires a touch long to close a lengthy rally, making it 15-all. Swiatek goes aggressive with a second-serve return but the forehand has too much on it. Anisimova has the chance to hold when she advances, but doesn’t find the corner with her forehand. A backhand winner down the line does the job, though.
*Swiatek 4-3 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek holds to love, completed with a fine serve down the middle. This year’s Wimbledon champion is really starting to click now.
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Swiatek 3-3 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Swiatek hits a fizzing forehand return to take control of the rally and make it 15-30. An aggressive backhand return makes it 30-40 before Swiatek sends Anisimova on to the back foot, advancing to the net before smashing a forehand. Deuce. Anisimova roars after winning the next point and Swiatek’s forehand return on the second serve goes long.
*Swiatek 3-2 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek sends down her first double fault of the night, but that’s her only error as she holds to 15. She’s recovered well on her serve after an iffy opening game.
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Swiatek 2-2 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova looks a touch frustrated after a misplaced first serve – a double fault follows. But a release comes with a cross-court backhand and she wraps up the hold with an ace.
*Swiatek 2-1 Anisimova (* denotes server): Anisimova sends a stinging forehand down the line to make it 30-all but Swiatek laces a first serve down the middle before completing her hold with one out wide.
Swiatek 1-1 Anisimova* (* denotes server): Anisimova moves to 30-0 confidently but Swiatek unleashes a stonking forehand return to break the sequence. The former doesn’t let it break her rhythm, though, holding on for her first game.
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*Swiatek 1-0 Anisimova (* denotes server): Swiatek begins proceedings and Anisimova gets her opponent sliding away before a whopping forehand return makes it 0-30. Anisimova drags a forehand too wide and sends a backhand too far: 30-all. We head to deuce and Anisimova has a chance to break after whipping a backhand winner. But Swiatek shows some ticker to save it and hold. A six-minute game suggests we’re in for a serious contest.
Worth a read before we get going.
Tim Henman backs Swiatek; Laura Robson opts for Anisimova. The winner heads to the semis; the loser goes home (the players, not the pundits).
Time for the one that really counts: Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek walk out with their mascots, two kids having a pretty great time as they wave away.
So Rybakina maintains her 100% record. While she dropped off a little at the end, the placement of her winners stood out, and her aces arrived when she needed them. Alexandrova had her moments and tried to force through some winners down the line, but Rybakina never looked in any serious discomfort.
Rybakina beats Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4
Alexandrova catches Rybakina off guard with a sumptuous backhand return but the latter is quickly up to 30-15. A double fault complicates things … a second double fault really complicates things. What’s going on here? Alexandrova nets to relieve some tension but Rybakina misfires with her forehand to provide another break point. An ace down the middle is perfectly timed. Alexandrova goes long with a backhand, and Rybakina finally has match point. A spectacular cross-court forehand keeps Alexandrova alive but Rybakina eventually gets over the finish line.
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*Alexandrova 4-6, 4-5 Rybakina (* denotes server): Alexandrova holds to 15 but Rybakina has another chance to serve for the match.
Alexandrova 4-6, 3-5 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina has lost just two points on her serve so far in this set … but it’s 0-15 after Rybakina gets a backhand drop wrong: Alexandrova is quick to punish it. A forehand is sent way out of bounds, making it 0-30. Rybakina stays calm, an ace taking her to 30-all. But Alexandrova has a chance to break after a fine backhand … and she takes it after Rybakina drags a forehand!
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*Alexandrova 4-6, 2-5 Rybakina (* denotes server): A double fault sets up two break points for Rybakina. Alexandrova saves the first but a thumping, flat, get-out-the-way forehand return does the job. Rybakina is a game away from victory.
Alexandrova 4-6, 2-4 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina begins with a 117mph ace down the middle and this time it’s her turn for a love hold.
*Alexandrova 4-6, 2-3 Rybakina (* denotes server): Alexandrova responds by holding to love but it’s hard to see a change in direction here.
Alexandrova 4-6, 1-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina is cruising here, whipping effortless winners, serving big … yet Alexandrova reaches wide with a crushing forehand return to make it 30-15. Not that it bothers Rybakina, who closes with an ace.
*Alexandrova 4-6, 1-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Alexandrova delivers a double fault, handing Rybakina another opening at 15-30. Another attempt at a down-the-line forehand goes wrong and a backhand into the net gives Rybakina the break and game.
Alexandrova 4-6, 1-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina leaves Alexandrova helpless with a forehand into the corner, and an ace takes the 2022 Wimbledon champion to 40-15. Another big serve completes the hold.
*Alexandrova 4-6, 1-0 Rybakina (* denotes server): Alexandrova is under the pump again, netting a backhand to make it 15-30. She finds some room to breathe with a backhand down the line and a second serve out wide makes it 40-30. She stays calm to hold.
Rybakina wins the first set 6-4
Alexandrova’s aggression proves costly as she miscues another forehand. Rybakina eases her way to 30-0 before a long backhand by Alexandrova. It’s a love hold for Rybakina, who is having a wonderful tournament. Alexandrova leads the count on winners, but Rybakina saved three break points and was quick to convert when she got the chance.
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*Alexandrova 4-5 Rybakina (* denotes server): Alexandrova’s forehand down the line is narrowly wide, and Rybakina catches her opponent out with a backhand return. Out comes a double fault … two break points, Rybakina finally handed an opening. A misplaced forehand follows and Rybakina has her break, perfectly timed. She’ll serve for the first set.
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Alexandrova 4-4 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina drags Alexandrova wide with her serve to set up an advance and go 15-0 up. Her first ace of the match follows, down the middle. Another ace delivers an authoritative hold.
*Alexandrova 4-3 Rybakina (* denotes server): Alexandrova is dominating in the ace column, sending down her sixth of the match to go 40-15 up. Her second serve does the job, too, with Rybakina’s backhand going wild.
Alexandrova 3-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina sends down a blistering serve to Alexandrova’s backhand; it’s not one for returning. At 30-all, Alexandrova returns with a stonking forehand winner: break point. Rybakina’s whippy backhand makes it deuce … and she saves another break point to hold.
*Alexandrova 3-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina attacks Alexandrova’s second serve, coming inside to hit a deep forehand return that makes it 15-30. The former steps into a backhand winner to make it 30-40, but Alexandrova resists, closing the game with an ace.
Alexandrova 2-2 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Rybakina has her flow now, the forehand winners taking her to a love hold.
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*Alexandrova 2-1 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina wins her first point on Alexandrova’s serve, whipping a delicious, unreachable forehand into the corner. But Alexandrova’s game remains in good order, holding to 30.
Alexandrova 1-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): This is quite the start from Alexandrova. She takes us to 0-30 before Rybakina wallops a big serve to set up an advance to the net, smashing away for her first point of the match. A forehand slice goes long from Alexandrova, taking us to 30-all. Rybakina nets a backhand: break point. Alexandrova’s backhand finds the net, too. Rybakina keeps her cool to go level.
*Alexandrova 1-0 Rybakina (* denotes server): And we’re off. It’s Alexandrova who gets us going, and with some style too: a couple of forehand winners as she holds to love.
Alexandrova actually leads the head-to-head (3-2) with Rybakina. That being said, Rybakina triumphed when they met in the final at Ningbo last month 3-6, 6-0, 6-2. The pair make their way out on to the court – we’ll be up and running shortly.
Alexandrova replaces Keys because Mirra Andreeva, the world No 9, “elected to not sign in due to not being fit to play today”, says the WTA.
This, from a few days ago, is an insightful piece on how players are being let down by the WTA.
Preamble
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to another day at the WTA Finals. With all due respect to our opening clash, the real contest is between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova.
Their meeting in the Wimbledon final four months ago was historically one-sided, Swiatek triumphing 6-0, 6-0, yet it took just a few weeks for Anisimova to make an astonishing recovery. The American pulled off a straight-sets win against Swiatek in the US Open quarters and now we go to the end of the trilogy. Today’s winner will advance to the semi-finals in Riyadh.
Before that we’ve got Elena Rybakina against Madison Keys Ekaterina Alexandrova. Keys has dropped out with illness in what is a dead rubber, so in comes the world No 10. Rybakina will look to continue her 100% record, having defeated Swiatek and Anisimova to book her last-four spot.
