Wimbledon: Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova semifinal analysis

Missed 2nd serve returns and extremely constant groundstroke numbers from set to set

Talented ball-striker Amanda Anisimova (WTA #13) reached a first career Grand Slam final with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over world #1 Aryna Sabalenka.

In a match that was fast-paced, tightly-contested and very loud at times, parity ruled. Both players won 36 points in the decider and there was only a 2-point gap at the end of the match: Anisimova won 108 points to Sabalenka’s 106.

Baseline duels won — in each set and total — is another great metric to demonstrate how close the match was.

Baseline duels won per set

• Set 1: Sabalenka 18 / Anisimova 19

• Set 2: Sabalenka 17 / Anisimova 18

• Set 3: Sabalenka 22 / Anisimova 22

• Total: Sabalenka 57 / Anisimova 59

Anisimova reaped a very slim rallying edge because she was extremely steady off the ground from set to set, as you will find out further down in this analysis. We will also show how missed 2nd serve returns were another major contributor to the final outcome.

But before that, let’s recap the key moments in the match.

Each of the first two sets featured a single break of serve and was claimed by the player winning over 80% of 1st serve points.

1st serves won

• Set 1: Sabalenka 65% / Anisimova 82%

• Set 2: Sabalenka 84% / Anisimova 52%

The first break points of the contest arrived in the 6th game with Sabalenka serving at 2-3. The top seed saved a pair, held and immediately missed a 0/40 lead and a total of 4 break chances of her own in the following game.

So the fate of the opener came down to an exciting 10-minute, 18-point 10th game and Anisimova’s backhand going into absolute beast-mode.

→ Outstanding backhand performance from Anisimova during the 10th game to win the set

After erasing 5 Sabalenka game points for 5-5 with several quality backhands, Anisimova took the set when all the pressure put on Sabalenka’s 2nd serve paid off and the world #1 double faulted set point down.

The early stages of the second set were characterized by straightforward holds of serve. Then controversy struck in the 6th game, when Anisimova was fortunate to escape a hindrance call.

Irate with the non-call, Sabalenka raised the decibels as well as her game.