Amanda Anisimova and Aryna Sabalenka are set to go head-to-head in a blockbuster Wimbledon semi-final.
Anisimova was backed as a Wimbledon dark horse earlier on in the tournament, and she has certainly lived up to that prediction as she continues her breakout season.
After the American beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Martina Navratilova reacted to Anisimova reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final in six years.
It will not get any easier for Anisimova, as she will now play world number one Sabalenka, who struggled in her Wimbledon quarter-final against Laura Siegemund.
Andy Roddick explains what Amanda Anisimova is capable of doing against Aryna Sabalenka
Reaching the Wimbledon semi-final continues an impressive season for Anisimova, who won the Qatar Open back in February.
Despite Sabalenka being the big favourite to reach the final as the top seed, former US Open champion Andy Roddick believes that Anisimova has the game to challenge the Belarusian, comparing her to Australian Open champion Madison Keys.
Roddick also praised Anisimova’s decision to take some time away from the sport in May 2023 due to mental health struggles.
“She is one of the few players on Earth who hits the ball well enough to take the racket out of Sabalenka’s hands,” the former world number one said on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast. “You look at Madi Keys. But as far as hitting the ball well and striking.
“Sabalenka has a bit more variety, she serves a little better, she is a bit more consistent and she has been in the matches a million times.
“She knows she has to take her shots. She doesn’t move sideline to sideline like Sabalenka does. Sabalenka is an underrated mover because she is so powerful, we kind of ignore the other parts of her game.
“But I could not be happier for Anisimova. I am sure her story might inspire or at least give cover to other athletes who want to do the same thing and should do the same thing.
“You can’t operate as a professional athlete at 50% of your mental capacity. She would have ended up showing up every week and ending up at 170 in the world and ended up hating the game and this whole thing.
“So I am happy she made that decision [to take a break] for herself, that takes guts. And there are no guarantees when you do that it will work out in a Wimbledon semi-final and you are going to go from 400 in the world to top 10 for the first time 18 months later.
“Great job, Anisimova. She is up against it now with Sabalenka, who I still think is going to win the tournament, but very cool story.”
Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova Head-to-head
Roddick’s theory about Anisimova being a challenge for Sabalenka does have evidence to support it.
Anisimova is one of the only players on the WTA Tour to have a winning head-to-head against the three-time Grand Slam champion, winning five of their eight previous meetings.
However, Sabalenka has started to turn the tide after winning three of their last four matches.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2019 | Australian Open (R32) | Anisimova beat Sabalenka, 6-3 6-2 |
| 2019 | Roland Garros (R64) | Anisimova beat Sabalenka, 6-4 6-2 |
| 2022 | Charleston Open (R16) | Anisimova beat Sabalenka, 3-6 6-4 6-3 |
| 2022 | Madrid Open (R64) | Anisimova beat Sabalenka, 6-2 3-6 6-4 |
| 2022 | Italian Open (QF) | Sabalenka beat Anisimova, 4-6 6-3 6-2 |
| 2024 | Australian Open (R16) | Sabalenka beat Anisimova, 6-3 6-2 |
| 2024 | Canadian Open (QF) | Anisimova beat Sabalenka, 6-4 6-2 |
| 2025 | Roland Garros (R16) | Sabalenka beat Anisimova, 7-5 6-3 |
The last time Sabalenka played Anisimova was at Roland Garros, with the former winning in straight sets.
Anisimova and Sabalenka will add the next chapter in their head-to-head when they play their Wimbledon semi-final on Thursday, July 10.
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