Amanda Anisimova Defeats Emma Navarro in All-American Semifinal to Secure Toronto Final Spot 2024
Amanda Anisimova defeats Emma Navarro 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in an all-American semifinal at the National Bank Open to reach her first WTA 1000 final.
Currently rated at No. 132, the former world No. 21 has defeated four players in the Top 10 in a succession, including the second-lowest-ranked WTA 1000 finalist in history.
The former No. 21 in the world is currently ranked No. 132, making her the second-lowest-ranked WTA 1000 finalist ever. When Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the Cincinnati final in 2019 and won two Grand Slams, her ranking was only 150.
In order to get to her first WTA 1000 final and her first final of any kind since winning the Melbourne Summer Set WTA 250 in January of two years ago, Anisimova had now defeated four of the Top 20 players in a row. Before defeating Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, in the quarterfinals, she had already defeated Daria Kasatkina and Anna Kalinskaya. This was her first Top 10 victory since 2022.
It’s absurd. I’m overjoyed. Anisimova remarked after the game, “It was a hard battle out there, especially with the conditions today.” “I’m just really relieved because it was really stressful.
“I try to play my best tennis in every match and just be mentally there at every point. I’m simply really pleased with how I’ve been playing since it’s not easy to play elite players practically every match.”
Anisimova overcame a foot blister that hindered her during the second set, where she lost five games in a row with a set and a break up, in addition to the windy conditions. However, in the decisive, Navarro’s service was broken brilliantly at 1-1, giving her an advantage that she would never give up. Anisimova broke serve on her fourth chance to win the game, but Navarro had six game points spread over seven deuces and led 40-0 at the end of the game.
Later, in the sixth game, Anisimova saved a break point that would have tied the set at three.
Anisimova will take on the victor of the semifinal match between No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula, the reigning champion, and No. 14 seed Diana Shnaider on Sunday night. If Pegula prevails, Anisimova and Shnaider may become the first two players under the age of twenty-three to compete for the title at the tournament since Dominika Cibulkova and Dinara Safina in 2008. They will also compete in the first all-American final in Canada since 2001.
