Amanda Anisimova has achieved her best ever result at the US Open this year after reaching the semifinals.
Anisimova reached the Wimbledon final two months ago, but suffered a shock 6-0 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek.
Despite enjoying a breakout season in 2025, it appeared that Anisimova was going under the radar at the US Open.
However, everyone is now talking about Anisimova after she got revenge over Swiatek to reach the US Open semifinals.
Justine Henin admits she stopped believing in Amanda Anisimova two years ago
Many had doubted whether Anisimova could beat Swiatek after the US Open, especially given how their last match had gone.
However, former world number one Justine Henin has revealed that she doubted Anisimova long before then.
Anisimova took a nine month mental health break from tennis in 2023, and Henin has suggested that she had doubts over whether she would ever be able to reach her full potential back then, but is now full of admiration for the 24-year-old.
“Amanda had a game point on her first service game. But she managed to break back straight away, and that was very important,” Henin said when reflecting on the match for Eurosport and HBO Max.
“We were focused on that first game because with Wimbledon… But she came onto the court with a much bigger idea than just doing better than at Wimbledon.
“Two years ago, I didn’t believe in her anymore. When we saw her struggles, we didn’t think she would come back like this. It’s a lesson in courage and hard work. She took care of herself, in time, to take a step back from the circuit.
“When you’re able to come back like that after what she went through at Wimbledon, it’s impressive! She has incredible resources and she knows how to use the difficult moments she’s been through to her advantage.”
Mats Wilander claims Amanda Anisimova has a shot that is the best on the WTA Tour right now
Anisimova’s win over Swiatek at the US Open was a complete contrast to her performance in the Wimbledon final.
It has now been predicted that Anisimova can win the US Open, and seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander has suggested she has the best backhand in tennis right now.
“It was an unbelievable match compared to the one at Wimbledon,” began Wilander. “Anisimova is such a good ball striker and she won the match without Iga Swiatek playing bad. Anisimova has arrived. She had so much promise from when she was 17 or 18 years old but now she has arrived at the top of the game.
“She hits the ball so smoothly on the backhand side and it’s maybe the best backhand we have in the game right now. She ball strikes so beautifully, plays so aggressively. Hits the ball so hard and isn’t afraid of anything, The fact she could dominate Iga Swiatek the way she did from the baseline, it was amazing.
“She had confidence she was going to win the match the whole time. She was quietly confident and I think Iga could feel that as well. She is really up there with Rybakina and Sabalenka in terms of ball striking skills. On paper after 6-0, 6-0 at Wimbledon, it’s a big surprise.
“Every point she won, there was cheering. At Wimbledon, you imagine she was annoyed at the quiet. The crowd were ready to fight with Amanda and they did. She dropped a couple of match points but she doesn’t step away. She keeps pressing forward and was really aggressive.
“The forehand is not as big a weapon as the backhand but it’s still really big. Her serve is excellent, has great placement and she’s really tall. She has so much power and can win the point on her own.
“There was not much Iga could’ve done when Anisimova plays like that. Iga has had an unbelievable return since the French Open, winning Wimbledon, Cincinnati and quarter-finals here is not bad. Even though she lost in straight sets, she has shown she is back being one of the best players in the world.”
Anisimova will hope that her backhand is firing once again when she looks to reach her second consecutive Grand Slam final.
Standing in her way is Naomi Osaka, and Anisimova is very aware of the threat she poses after watching her this year.
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