By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) -Amanda Anisimova collapsed flat on her face in sheer relief after she survived an astonishing and unexpected fightback from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to secure a 6-1 7-6(9) victory and reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.
With the American 13th seed leading 6-1 5-2, Pavlyuchenkova was left staring at defeat and wishing she could disappear through a Wimbledon trapdoor as she was bamboozled by a cocktail of blazing backhands, ferocious forehands and nifty footwork.
But just when it seemed that Anisimova had one foot in the last four, and Pavlyuchenkova would be left to lick some very painful wounds, the 34-year-old Russian’s display suddenly caught fire and she won three games on the trot.
Pavlyuchenkova saved two match points in the process in the 10th game, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught Anisimova by surprise.
With the world number 50 suddenly believing she could turn the match around, emotional Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group “one more point” as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak.
Anisimova somehow saved all five set points against her before finally sealing victory when Pavlyuchenkova netted a service return on her opponent’s fourth match point.
Anisimova’s victory means she will next meet world number one Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final.
A year after the American’s attempt to qualify for the grasscourt major ended in failure, the 23-year-old was celebrating a remarkable turnaround of fortunes.
She was joined on Court One by her young nephew Jackson, who could be heard shouting out to his aunt during the contest.
“It was such a battle today. I was up in the second set and she started playing some unreal tennis,” Anisimova told the crowd with Jackson by her side.
“I just kept fighting and that tiebreak was super stressful, but I’m just so happy I got it done. I’m happy to be in the semi-final for the first time, it’s super special.”
“It has been an extraordinary year for me with so many highs. I am enjoying every step of the way and, even in times like today, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment.”
(Reporting by Pritha Sarkar, editing by Ken Ferris)
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