Tracy Austin pinpoints the area of Amanda Anisimova’s game that people really underrate after reaching Wimbledon final

Follow us on Google Discover

Tracy Austin has been left enamoured with one criminally underrated area of Amanda Anisimova’s game, as she watched her reach the Wimbledon final.

It was a match that had everything, from elite shot-making to great drama, whether that be from the extended grunts to net cords at crucial moments.

But in the end, the American was the one left standing, and deservedly so.

She had to summon all her talent to overcome Aryna Sabalenka, whose champion’s mentality continually forced her back into contention.

Austin has since pinpointed one area of Anisimova’s game that proved to be the difference, which people seem to underappreciate.

Tracy Austin loved what she saw from Amanda Anisimova in Wimbledon semi-final

Speaking live on the BBC immediately after the match, the 62-year-old joined Martina Navratilova to review an epic afternoon of tennis.

First, Austin explained why she was proud of Anisimova, before then delivering some more technical analysis.

She would claim: “I love these nuanced shots from Anisimova, some of those improv skills, and they were important. There were about four or five of those points that really made the difference in this match. And she’s like that right there. Hitting that soft shot.

“People don’t give her enough credit. She doesn’t move as fast as some of the other players. She’s improved on that, but Anisimova’s hands are so soft. She can absorb pace. It’s beautiful.”

Amanda Anisimova should fear no one in the Wimbledon final

After a win like that, against the top-ranked player in the world who has beaten almost everyone on tour with ease, Anisimova has every right to feel confident.

However, the dynamic will likely be so different in Saturday’s Wimbledon final after such a victory, as she could very well be seen as the favourite to take the title.

It will be a completely transformed environment for the 23-year-old, who swung freely and with great power to stun Sabalenka.

Interestingly though, she did fail to serve out the match, with nerves getting the better of her after she put herself in a winning position.

Anisimova must find a way to retain her focus from the start to the finish on Saturday, regardless of who is billed as the favourite. She has beaten the best that women’s tennis has to offer. Nobody should scare her now.