SME News Balkan. The US Open delivered one of its biggest shocks of the tournament as Amanda Anisimova stunned world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, booking her place in a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Naomi Osaka.The American produced one of the finest performances of her career, defeating the six-time Grand Slam champion 6-4 6-3 in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory comes just months after Anisimova suffered a crushing 6-0 6-0 defeat to Swiatek in the Wimbledon final, making the turnaround all the more remarkable.A Triumphant ComebackThe 24-year-old has been one of the stories of the season, returning to the top of the women\u2019s game after a break from the sport. She followed up her run to the Wimbledon final with another deep push at her home Slam, showcasing a combination of power and composure that left Swiatek searching for answers.\u201cShe hits the ball so smoothly on the backhand side\u2014it might be the best backhand in the game right now,\u201d one former champion commented. \u201cThe way she struck the ball against Iga, so hard and so fearless, there was nothing Iga could do when Amanda played like that.\u201dHenin: \u201cI Didn\u2019t Believe in Her Anymore\u201dSeven-time Grand Slam champion Justine Henin admitted she had doubted whether Anisimova would ever return to her best after her struggles in recent years.\u201cTwo years ago, I didn\u2019t believe in her anymore,\u201d Henin said. \u201cWhen we saw her struggles, we didn\u2019t think she would come back like this. But it\u2019s a lesson in courage and hard work. She took time to step away, to take care of herself, and now she\u2019s using those difficult moments to her advantage. It\u2019s impressive.\u201dHenin also pointed to the significance of the American\u2019s opening service game, recalling how nerves had cost her at Wimbledon. \u201cAmanda had a game point in her first service game but managed to break back straight away\u2014that was very important. She came on court with a much bigger idea than just doing better than Wimbledon.\u201dEyes on Osaka ShowdownAnisimova\u2019s path to the last four included a 6-0 6-3 victory over Brazil\u2019s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the previous round, before her sensational dismantling of Swiatek. The win sets up a blockbuster semi-final against Naomi Osaka, who is also enjoying a resurgence in New York.With her fearless ball-striking and revitalized confidence, Anisimova has firmly reestablished herself among the sport\u2019s elite. As Henin summed up: \u201cShe has incredible resources, and when she plays like this, she can beat anyone.\u201dThe US Open crowd will now brace for a semi-final showdown between two of the game\u2019s most powerful hitters\u2014Anisimova and Osaka\u2014in what promises to be one of the matches of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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SME News Balkan. The US Open delivered one of its biggest shocks of the tournament as Amanda Anisimova stunned world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, booking her place in a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Naomi Osaka.The American produced one of the finest performances of her career, defeating the six-time Grand Slam champion…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1989,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennis"],"yoast_head":"\n