Wimbledon: Anisimova stuns Sabalenka, reaches first final

Amanda Anisimova stunned world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach her first Wimbledon final on Thursday, coming out on top in a fierce battle of the power-hitters to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Anisimova ended Sabalenka’s bid for a maiden Wimbledon title with a superb display of hitting in a semifinal played in scorching temperatures on Centre Court.
The 23-year-old will face Polish eighth seed Iga Swiatek or Swiss world number 35 Belinda Bencic in Saturday’s final.
“This doesn’t feel real right now, honestly. Aryna is such a tough competitor and I was absolutely dying out there. I don’t know how I pulled it out,” Anisimova said after her epic victory in two hours and 36 minutes.
“We’ve had so many tough battles and to come out on top and be in the final of Wimbledon is incredible.”
Anisimova is only the second player in the Open era to reach a women’s final at a Grand Slam after losing in qualifying at the previous year’s event.
“If you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you. It’s indescribable to be honest,” she said.