Amanda Anisimova pulled off a stunning upset on Saturday at the National Bank Open, defeating second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2 to secure a spot in the semifinals. This victory marked Anisimova's first win over a top-10 player in almost two years. The 22-year-old American, who took a break from tennis last year for mental health reasons, now boasts two WTA Tour titles under her belt - one in 2019 in Bogota and another in 2022 in Melbourne.
Reflecting on her win, Anisimova acknowledged Sabalenka's prowess on the court, describing her as an 'amazing player' and emphasizing the challenge of facing her opponent. Anisimova's record against Sabalenka now stands at 5-2, with the American avenging her previous losses in this encounter.
Notably, Sabalenka struggled with eight double faults in the windy conditions of the match, culminating in a love-40 deficit in the final game. The Belarusian player had withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury and opted out of the Paris Olympics.
In the upcoming semifinals, Anisimova is set to square off against eighth-seeded Emma Navarro in an all-American clash. Navarro secured her spot by defeating compatriot Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-6 (5), navigating the challenging wind conditions that characterized the match.
Meanwhile, the night session featured third-seeded defending champion Jessica Pegula facing Peyton Stearns in another all-American showdown, while No. 14 Diana Shnaider of Russia took on No. 6 seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia.
This year's National Bank Open has seen a resurgence of American talent, with five U.S. quarterfinalists marking the highest representation from the country on the tour since 2001. Pegula, who emerged victorious over Samsonova in the final last year in Montreal, is among the contenders vying for the prestigious title.
