Iga Swiatek falls short of U.S. Open semis as Anisimova avenges Wimbledon title demolition

 

NEW YORK -- After her fourth-round win over Beatriz Haddad Maia on Labor Day, Amanda Anisimova said in her on-court interview that she had hoped for a bit more love from the New York crowd.

She got it in spades on Wednesday. With the fans firmly in her corner in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the American knocked off six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 to reach her first US Open semifinal.

Playing for the first time since Swiatek's 6-0, 6-0 trouncing in the Wimbledon final, they traded breaks to start the match and held to 4-4 after Swiatek forced deuce on an incredible 17-shot rally in the eighth game and took the next two points. Anisimova held in her next game and, on her second set point, a Swiatek forehand sailed long to give the New Jersey native her second break and the set.

The Wimbledon champion jumped out to a quick start in the second set, breaking and consolidating for a 2-0 lead, but with the crowd rallying her on — chants of "We love you Amanda" were consistent all afternoon — the eighth seed took the next three games and the lead. Swiatek held to even it, but that would be her final game of the afternoon.

Anisimova held for 4-3 with the assistance of a net cord, and then broke for 5-3 on a Swiatek double fault. Serving for a spot in the semis, with three match points to play with, Anisimova lost the next two points -- including one on a double fault -- before finishing off her opponent with another ball that hit the net and died before Swiatek could push it into play.

Anisimova finished with 23 winners to Swiatek's 13 and converted four of nine break points. The World No. 2 had just four break point opportunities and converted two of them.

"Today was definitely different than any other match here, or that I've played ever, because of the circumstances," Anisimova said after the match. "But yeah, I think that I was really trying to go in with the right mindset, especially the last 24 hours, really preparing myself more mentally than physically for today. I'm really pleased with the way I was able to go into it and perform."

Despite the lopsided win at Wimbledon, Swiatek knew her opponent would come ready to play and would be anything but an easy out.

"I think everybody knows how Amanda can play," the Polish 24-year-old said. "Yeah, she didn't play well in Wimbledon, but it's not like she's always going to do the same mistakes or feel the same. I know that she's a good player. She can play great tennis. So for me, I was ready for a tough match.

"It's not a surprise. I practice with her. I know how she can play. It was totally different. She moved better, she played better. Yeah, everything was different."

wtatennis.com

Well she fell short again, but it was a wonderful run especially given the fact that she later revealed on Instagram she's been having a foot issue the entire tournament (I'm sure all those mixed doubles matches with Casper didn't help).

I saw a photo on social media that surfaced during the tournament of a practice session with Iga's foot being heavily bandaged and her wincing in pain. She kept it hush hush so I doubt too many people knew till her post after the loss today. 

She didn't even say anything about not being able to practice much, nor about the foot itself in her post match press conferences.  

So given all that it's quite amazing she made it as far as she did. 

A foot issue would definitely make it difficult to serve which explains the fluctuations of it match to match (and especially today). 

Nevertheless she soldiered on. 

As great champions always do. 

Sad for the loss but happy she'll be able to rest and rehab that foot properly now before heading off to Asia (I'm kind of hoping she skips Seoul and starts off in Beijing).

Fingers crossed the foot doesn't become a bigger issue for the remainder of this season.

Thank you for an amazing summer of tennis Iga, the Wimbledon win will remain one of the sweetest memories of this year.

See you in the fall champ.

Jazda!