Amanda Anisimova’s words after her first victory at the WTA Finals captured the mood perfectly — determined, honest, and quietly confident.
“It’s pretty difficult to adjust, especially when you lose the first match,” she admitted, summing up the mental grind that defines the round-robin format.
“It’s a new experience for me. It’s not easy, but I’m trying to get used to fighting back and giving my best.”
The 24-year-old American fought her way to a gritty 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 comeback win that keeps her semifinal hopes alive in Riyadh. After a shaky start and a lost opening set, Anisimova rediscovered her rhythm in the second, hitting with more precision and varying her returns intelligently. It was her first victory of the tournament after falling to Elena Rybakina in her debut — a crucial result that keeps her in the running to advance from the Serena Williams Group.
Tactical Tweaks and Mental Tenacity
Anisimova’s adjustments were subtle but decisive. By stepping closer to the baseline and finding greater consistency on the forehand, she disrupted Madison Keys’ rhythm and turned what could have been a frustrating afternoon into a controlled and confident win.
“I don’t want to give away too many secrets,” she said with a smile.
“But I definitely had to make some changes. I tried not to overhit as much as I did at the start. Maddie’s a big hitter and played some incredible tennis.”
Her victory not only revived her own campaign but also sealed Elena Rybakina’s spot in the semifinals. With the Kazakh already through after defeating Iga Swiatek in three sets, Anisimova’s result became the deciding factor in confirming Rybakina’s qualification. Now, the final round-robin clash between Anisimova and Swiatek will determine who joins her in the last four, while Keys exits the competition after two defeats — undone by the relentless pace and precision of her opponents.
Focus Turns to Swiatek: “It’s Going to Be Interesting”
Anisimova knows the scale of the next challenge.
“It’s going to be an interesting match,” she said about her upcoming showdown with Swiatek.
“There’s a lot on the line for both of us, so it’ll be a good test. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Their encounters this season have been among the highlights of the year. Swiatek crushed Anisimova 6–0, 6–0 in the Wimbledon final to claim her sixth Grand Slam title, but the American struck back at the US Open, winning 6–4, 6–3 in the quarterfinals.
Anisimova stands out as the lone debutant among the eight WTA Finals contenders, while Swiatek’s fifth appearance puts her level with Aryna Sabalenka as one of the event’s most seasoned participants.
“It’s not easy,” Anisimova repeated with a knowing smile, “but I’m doing my best.”
Swiatek, who lifted the trophy in 2023, was eliminated in the group stage last year despite two wins — a reminder of how unforgiving the format can be.
Now, both players sit one win away from the semifinals. The winner will join Rybakina, who is already guaranteed top spot in the Serena Williams Group, even in the event of a loss to Keys. The group’s champion will meet the runner-up from the Steffi Graf Group — setting the stage for a semifinal lineup that promises pure tennis theatre in Riyadh.