At one point, Amanda Anisimova looked like she wanted to end her tennis career, but the American will now play in the 2024 Canadian Open final after beating compatriot Emma Navarro.
Anisimova emerged as a teenage supertalent who made a deep run at Roland Garros a few years ago. She missed out on the final, but that run alone was enough to prove that she was a legitimate talent who would achieve a lot on the WTA Tour.
However, the following couple of years were marred with inconsistencies. At times, she also dealt with injuries but also lots of fatigue, particularly mental fatigue. This caused her to take a break from tennis, something that caused some debate in tennis circles.
Anisimova was adamant that she needed it, and when we look at the decision now, she was likely right. She didn't look too motivated back then, but looks quite motivated these days.
Her performances this year upon her return have been inconsistent at times, but this week in Toronto, things have gone extremely well for the 22-year-old.
She scored some impressive wins, but when she bested Aryna Sabalenka in two sets, it became clear that she was having a great week. It continued also in the semi-final of the WTA 1000 event against compatriot Navarro, who herself has been in very good shape recently.
This matchup was fascinating because they have quite different profiles. Anisimova is a very typical aggressive baseliner who loves to attack, and she does it exceptionally well.
Navarro had a bit more variety in her game because she doesn't have the same power as some of the top players. She's still navigating most matchups nicely, showing her intelligence on the tennis court.
Power trumped everything else early in this match, as Anisimova broke immediately at the start of the match, taking a 3-0 lead. What allowed her to hit the ball well early was Navarro serving poorly.
She generally doesn't have too much power in her serve, but she can place it well. Taking away what little power she had, Anisimova was basically given target practice.
Anisimova was launching one rocket after another from the baseline and hitting it well. On her own serve, she hit the ball really precisely and hard, which made things even easier for her, winning the opening set comfortably 6-3.
Anisimova had never played in a WTA 1000 final before, and she was now only one set away. The second started without any breaks in the first two games. Anisimova pushed hard in the third game and, after a lot of battling, was finally able to break and make it 2-1.
However, it was followed by a bad game, so Navarro made it 2-2 and then 3-2. She could then make it 5-2 as her opponent rushed from one mistake to another. That's the flip side of attacking styles, and it showed, as Navarro was able to win the second set 6-2.
Anisimova bounced back well to start the third set, taking an early break to lead 2-1. She could then add another break later on to win the match 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, and reach the 2024 Canadian Open final, awaiting the winner of the match between compatriot Jessica Pegula and Diana Shnaider.
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