Amanda Anisimova is rediscovering her best tennis after a formidable run to her first WTA 1000 semi-final in Toronto.
Nobody has been smiling more than America’s Amanda Anisimova this week.
The 22-year-old has been bulldozing past everyone and anyone during her first real streak since returning after some time away from the sport.
This week she has made her first career WTA 1000 final at the Toronto Open, defeating Caroline Dolehide, and breezing past fifth seed Daria Kasatkina and before her tie with tenth seed Anna Kalinskaya ended with the injury-hampered Russian retiring.
Quickly re-gathering her ‘giant-slayer’ reputation, the American stormed past second seed and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, before beating her in-form compatriot Emma Navarro in the semi-final.
As a result, she returned to the top 50, moving more than 80 positions up from 132nd, and now is just two sets away from a truly remarkable run and maiden WTA 1000 title.
With two Americans already beaten, Anisimova has one left with reigning champion Jessica Pegula waiting in the final.
Amanda Anisimova reacts to her ‘surprising’ streak in Toronto
Bombing through the Toronto field like a freight train, the American is showing no signs of stopping.
Despite dropping a set to the massively-improved Navarro, she managed to stay composed and find her big shots to power through.
Reflecting on what’s been a magical week for her, she said in her post-semi-final press conference how proud she was to have returned with such great energy and style.
“I’m super happy,” she said, “This is a huge accomplishment for me and something I have been working really hard towards.
“I am super happy with my week here and I’m pretty surprised with how well I’ve been able to do so far. I am still hungry for more.”
While Pegula has a tidy record in Canada, winning the tournament last year, there doesn’t look to be an obvious chink in Anisimova’s armour.
Amanda Anisimova is back – but how far can she go?
Having taken some time away from tennis to look after her mental health, it’s easy to forget how much oil a splash Anisimova made when she was still just a teenager.
After reaching her first WTA final in 2018, the following year saw the American upset Sabalenka and reigning champion Simona Halep to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.
Having ranked as highly as 21st, Anisimova has a truly huge game, with dangerous and precise groundstrokes sitting as her biggest weapon.
After reaching the last eight at Wimbledon in 2022, mid-May of 2023 saw Anisimova take a hiatus from the sport, citing significant burnout.
Beaming and in disbelief as an ace whistled past Navarro to secure her spot in the final, the smiling, confident Anisimova is hopefully back for good.
Navarro has highlighted the strength of American tennis at the moment, and Anisimova is simply the latest to start her contribution to the high-flying stars on the women’s tour.
With the US Open just on the horizon, barring any hiccups, she will pose a serious threat to the early frontrunners, as well as some of the lower ranked seeds who may face her earlier than they would’ve hoped.
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