Amanda Anisimova admits she made a mistake after the US Open despite easily beating Coco Gauff

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Amanda Anisimova played one of the best matches of her career at the China Open.

Beating Jasmine Paolini in the quarters, Anisimova advanced to take on her fellow American, Coco Gauff, in the Beijing semifinals.

Dropping just three games, Anisimova dominated Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in under an hour to secure her spot in the final.

Few complaints could be made about her performance, as Anisimova overpowered the world number three on Beijing’s ‘Diamond court’.

That’s not to say she had it easy, though, as the 24-year-old now admits she made a mistake after the US Open, which has affected her in Asia.

Amanda Anisimova thinks she took too much time off after losing US Open final

During her post-match press conference, Anisimova revealed the problems she faced after losing the US Open final.

“I feel like I took too much time off after the US Open,” she said.

“I learned from that because I didn’t really feel like I was match-fit ahead of the tournament.

“Had to take my wisdom tooth out the day that I flew. I was like, Oh, is it a mistake I’m flying there? Everything was just off to a bad start.”

Finding her form as she grew into the tournament, Anisimova surprised herself with her level.

“I think I learned a lot this week. I think when I’m not feeling my best physically or I’m facing a challenge, I think I pay so much attention to that that I actually play better because I don’t have as much pressure, and I’m just seeing how far I can get. Surprisingly, that’s when I play my best, I feel like,” she said.

Amanda Anisimova’s route to the China Open final

• China Open 2R [WIN] vs Katie Boulter – 6-1, 6-3
• China Open 3R [WIN] vs Zhang Shuai – 7-6, 6-0
• China Open 4R [WIN] vs Karolina Muchova – 1-6, 6-2, 6-4
• China Open QF [WIN] vs Jasmine Paolini – 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
• China Open SF [WIN] vs Coco Gauff – 6-1, 6-2

“With each match, I’ve been surprising myself and trying to learn how to work with physical pain, pushing myself in tough matches.

“I feel like, actually, this week has been a lot of progress in that department. Just really happy that I stuck with it and kept pushing myself even when I thought I couldn’t anymore.

“Yeah, I’m definitely quite surprised I made it to the final. Just really happy.”

Anisimova will now prepare to take on either Linda Noskova or Jessica Pegula in her ninth WTA final.

Amanda Anisimova’s record in WTA finals

The American star has played eight tour-level finals since making her debut, winning three and losing four.

Anisimova will take to the court on Sunday, having lost her last three finals, all in straight sets.

She did, however, win her last WTA 1000 final, at the Qatar Open earlier this year, taking down Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, 6-4, 6-3.

Playing Pegula or Noskova in the final, Anisimova will have a chance to win her second WTA 1000 title of the year, a feat only two other players have accomplished in 2025.

2025 WTA 1000 winners

• Qatar Open – Amanda Anisimova
• Dubai Tennis Championships – Mirra Andreeva
• Indian Wells – Mirra Andreeva (2)
• Miami Open – Aryna Sabalenka
• Madrid Open – Aryna Sabalenka (2)
• Italian Open – Jasmine Paolini
• Canadian Open – Victoria Mboko
• Cincinnati Open – Iga Swiatek

Only time will tell if Anisimova can join Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva on two titles, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

Anisimova will play Pegula or Noskova in the China Open final on Sunday, October 5.