Sweet revenge

NEW YORK (AFP) — Amanda Anisimova avenged her Wimbledon thrashing by Iga Swiatek on Wednesday to reach the US Open semifinals, where she will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

Anisimova rebounded from her disastrous double-bagel defeat at the hands of Swiatek at Wimbledon two months ago, beating the second-ranked Pole 6-4, 6-3 in New York.

“I’ve been having the run of my life here,” said Anisimova, the American eighth seed.

“The first day I got here I was like okay, let’s try and get through one round. This has been such a dream. To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me.”

Six-time major winner Swiatek entered the US Open as the bookmakers’ favorite, after she followed up her maiden Wimbledon title with victory at the Cincinnati Open WTA 1000 event.

Swiatek broke in the first game of the match but Anisimova hit back immediately and snatched the opening set when her rival ballooned a forehand long.

Anisimova again had to rally after falling behind early in the second set. She broke back for 2-2 and then moved a game from victory as Swiatek coughed up a costly double fault.

Swiatek saved two match points but a net cord in Anisimova’s favor sealed the win and a sense of redemption for the 24-year-old.

“Today is definitely the most meaningful victory I’ve had in my life,” Anisimova said.

Swiatek accepted she didn’t play well enough.

“I kind of have to let it go and just focus on the next one,” Swiatek said.

Osaka beat Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to extend her deepest run at a Grand Slam since returning to tennis after the birth of her daughter in 2023.

The Japanese star hit 30 winners in a smooth performance reminiscent of the player who lifted the trophy here in 2018 and 2020.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this position,” said Osaka, who has gone on to win the tournament every time she has reached the last four of a major.

“You play the best players in the world towards the end of a Slam. We’re all hoping to achieve the same thing. It’s kind of like boxing, but with a tennis ball,” Osaka, the 23rd seed, said.

However, she has lost both previous matches with Anisimova — at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2022.

‘Today is definitely the most meaningful victory I’ve had in my life.’

Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame Alex de Minaur in a four-set battle lasting over four hours to reach his second US Open semifinal.

The 25-year-old Canadian is back in the Last Four of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2021 US Open after beating eighth seed De Minaur 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).

“Some days you won’t feel your best but I was willing to dig really deep and do everything I can,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“It feels amazing. Four years ago, it feels like more. It was a tough couple of years but it feels even better now to be in the semifinals.”

Australia’s De Minaur, 26, has now lost all six of his Grand Slam quarterfinals.

“Right now, I’m looking at this like a wasted opportunity,” De Minaur said.