Anisimova Defeats Sabalenka in Toronto Semifinals
- Amanda Anisimova achieved an impressive victory over Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
- This marks Anisimova's first win against a top-10 player in nearly two years.
- Her success in reaching the semifinals at the National Bank Open represents a significant achievement in her career.
TORONTO (AP) — In a stunning performance, Amanda Anisimova defeated second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday, marking her first victory over a top-10 player in nearly two years. The 22-year-old American, one of five U.S. players in the quarterfinals, has made a significant comeback after taking a mental health break from tennis last year. Anisimova, who has two WTA Tour titles to her name, expressed her admiration for Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, and credited her success to a revised game plan. Anisimova's journey to the semifinals has been marked by challenges, including a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon and her decision to skip the Paris Olympics. Reflecting on her match against Sabalenka, she noted the importance of adapting her strategy, which proved effective in securing the win. In another notable development, Taylor Townsend made history as the first "lucky loser" to reach a WTA 1000 quarterfinal, having entered the main draw as an injury replacement. Townsend expressed her excitement about her performance throughout the week, highlighting the unexpected opportunities that have arisen. As the tournament progresses, defending champion Jessica Pegula, the third seed, faced off against Peyton Stearns in an all-American clash, while No. 14 Diana Shnaider of Russia competed against No. 6 seed Liudmila Samsonova, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the National Bank Open.