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The Herald Scotland
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Amanda Anisimova ready to face ‘inspiration' Iga Swiatek in Wimbledon final
Yet in some ways it should be no surprise that the 23-year-old has found her way on to the sport's biggest stage because it was where she appeared destined to be heading as a teenager. "The moment of this young woman's life" 👏 Amanda Anisimova completes an extraordinary semi-final to defeat No.1 seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and book her spot in her first ever #Wimbledon final 💥 Take. A. Bow. ♥️ — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2025 She defeated Coco Gauff to win the US Open junior title just after her 16th birthday and by 17 was a top-30 star and a French Open semi-finalist. But then came the sudden death of her father from a heart attack and difficulties with form and injury, and by early 2023 Anisimova felt so burnt out by the sport that she took an indefinite break. With restoring her mental health the priority, the Floridian revived a childhood love of art, selling her paintings to raise money for charity. In January last year, Anisimova felt ready to return to the tour and six years on from her Roland Garros breakthrough she is back challenging for the sport's biggest titles. Anisimova will leave Wimbledon as a top-10 player, and maybe a grand slam champion, although to achieve that she will have to get the better of five-time major winner Swiatek. Their only meeting on court came nine years ago in the Junior Fed Cup, when Swiatek, who is three months older, emerged the winner. 'She was a great junior,' said Anisimova. 'I remember a lot of coaches were saying that she's going to be a big deal one day. Yeah, obviously they were right. 'Iga is such an unbelievable player. She's also been an inspiration to me. Her work ethic and all of her achievements have been really inspiring. I'm sure it will be an amazing match again. 'Getting to compete against an unbelievable player again is going to be super special. Hopefully I can bring some high-quality tennis and make it a battle out there. I'm just going to go out and enjoy every moment and try to not think about what's on the line there.' Iga Swiatek has surprised herself with her Wimbledon run (Ben Whitley/PA) Swiatek is happy to see her former junior rival, who lost in qualifying here last year, back in the big time, saying: 'Anybody who struggles and gets back at a better level deserves a lot of respect. 'For sure, Amanda is one of these players that kept going forwards in tough situations. I always wished her the best. Good job for her.' Anisimova's run here has come amid the best season of her career, and she can take confidence from the fact players with her power game style have often proved troublesome for Swiatek. 'She knows how to play on grass,' added the Pole. 'With her game style, the surface fits her. So it's going to be a challenge.' Are you ready for it… ⚔️ A new Wimbledon Champion will be crowned on Saturday! #Wimbledon — wta (@WTA) July 10, 2025 Swiatek has suddenly found the surface fits her as well having never previously been beyond the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. Coming off a disappointing campaign on her favoured clay, with the former world number one dropping to eighth in the rankings, Swiatek is only a marginally less surprising finalist than Anisimova. She certainly has more experience of grand slam finals than her opponent – and has never lost one – but Anisimova is confident, having taken a circuitous route to this moment, that she will not get stage fright. 'I think for sure that's going to be coming into play a bit, keeping our nerves at bay and staying composed,' she said. 'I would say we're both pretty experienced. Obviously I haven't been in a grand slam final before but I've experienced a lot of moments similar and a lot of high-stakes matches. I feel like I'm pretty prepared.'
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
Powys County Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
Iga Swiatek smashed through her grass ceiling as she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time. The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS @iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4.
Leader Live
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Iga Swiatek makes hay on the grass to finally reach Wimbledon's last four
The 24-year-old, a four-time French Open champion, swept aside Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 on Court One. Swiatek has never before been able to convincingly transfer her clay-court nous to the lawns of SW19. Jazda! 🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek defeats Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first #Wimbledon semi-final 👏 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025 But after losing her Roland Garros crown last month, the Polish star looks determined to finally open her turf account. 'It feels great. Even though it's the middle of the tournament I got goosebumps after this win,' she said. 'I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. This year I feel I can work with it.' Swiatek's previous best run was to the quarter-finals in 2023, but she says she feels more confident on the grass now. SWIATEK 🤝 SEMIS@iga_swiatek has secured her spot in the #Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Samsonova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5! — wta (@WTA) July 9, 2025 'I still feel like in 2023 I had a great tournament, and I was playing good tennis, but it obviously wasn't enough to go further,' she added. 'This year, yeah, I mean, I feel like I developed as a player, and I had time to practice a little bit more. 'Match by match my confidence, for sure, went up so that I can use it on these Championships. 'I'm just happy with the work that I've been doing and proud of myself, yeah.' A comfortable victory means the prospect of a mouthwatering first grand slam final between Swiatek and the woman who replaced her as world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, remains on the cards. Standing in her way is Swiss 28-year-old Belinda Bencic, who has made a remarkable comeback following the birth of daughter Bella in April last year. 'I never doubted that she can't come back after pregnancy,' said Swiatek. 'She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well.' Samsonova, the 19th seed from Russia, was making her first appearance in a grand slam quarter-final, and it showed. She made 18 unforced errors as Swiatek raced away with the first set and back-to-back double faults gifted the eighth seed a break at the start of the second. Having lost seven straight games the 26-year-old began to swing more freely and managed to reel Swiatek back in at 4-4. However, Swiatek brought up two match points and converted the second with a forehand winner, wrapping up victory in an hour and 49 minutes.
