NEW YORK – Iga Swiatek knew that it wouldn’t be an easy matchup this time around against Amanda Anisimova.
The last time these two met was at the Wimbledon finals in July, where it took Swiatek just 57 minutes to beat Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 for her sixth Grand Slam title.
That double bagel in a Grand Slam women’s singles final was a rarity and the first since the 1988 French Open, when Steffi Graf beat Natasha Zvereva in just 32 minutes.
But the results were much different this time, as Anisimova exacted revenge from that thumping to upset the No. 2 seed Swiatek and 2022 US Open champion, with a 6-4, 6-3 quarterfinal win at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Anisimova, the No. 8 seed, certainly got off to a better start in the US Open quarterfinals, finally securing her first point in the two matchups in the first set’s second game, and used her forehand effectively to keep Swiatek on the run. She also played a much cleaner first set than at Wimbledon, when she had three double faults and 12 unforced errors. She cut the errors in half and broke Swiatek, taking the first set when her forehand return went wide, leading to loud applause from the sellout crowd.
Anisimova, one of two Americans left in the singles draw, will face the winner of Naomi Osaka and Karolína Muchová on Thursday night for a spot in the finals.
‘The first day I got here, I was like, okay, let’s try to make it through one round. This has been such a dream,’ Anisimova said after the match. ‘To come back from Wimbledon like that, is really special to me. I feel like I worked so hard so try to turn around from that. And today proved everything for me. I can do it, so this is really special.’
It has been quite a turnaround for the 24-year-old Anisimova, who took a hiatus from the sport in 2023 and returned to Wimbledon the following year, ranked 189th in the world. But after making the Wimbledon finals, while beating No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of that Grand Slam, she will rise to a career-high No. 5 in the next WTA rankings following her victory over Swiatek.
Anisimova dominates second set
Iga Swiatek goes down!
After a humiliating defeat their last time on the court together, American Anisimova has overcome her previous demons, taking down the U.S. Open’s No. 2 seed in back-to-back sets: 6-4, 6-3.
The second set was partciularly impressive. After Swiatek took the first two games, Anisimova won six of the next seven to emerge victorious. Anisimova’s win advances her to the semifinals, where she’ll play the winner of Naomi Osaka and Karolina Muchova.
Swiatek’s 2-0 lead ousted quickly in second set
With her back against the wall, the tournament’s No. 2 seed Swiatek came out swinging to stay alive, winning each of the first two games against Anisimova in the second set.
Americans were glad to see Anisimova bounce back though, winning the third and fourth games without much of a sweat to tie things back up.
The longer this match goes, the more opportunities Swiatek will have to take advantage of her opponent’s mistakes. So, Anisimova’s best chance to win may be right now.
Anisimova wins first set
After failing to win a single game in their last matchup, Anisimova proved that she was out for blood in the first set. Though it was back and forth at first, with each player tied at four games apiece to start, Anisimova won each of the final two games, coming back to do so in both, and win 6-4.
Anisimova needs just one more set now to avenge her previous loss.
Swiatek wins first game, Anisimova breaks streak right after
Well, Anisimova will have to wait to break her 13-game loss streak to Swiatek. It was back-and-forth to start, with both players reaching 30-30 to begin the match, but Swiatek would eventually pull it out.
Thankfully, Anisimova would retaliate immediately, dominating the next game, going up 40-0 before Swiatek would win a single rally. Anisimova would win the game on her third break point opportunity.
When is Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek match?
No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova will play No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek in a women’s quarterfinal on Wednesday. The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium will start after the completion of the men’s quarterfinal between No. 8 Alex de Minaur and No. 25 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“At this stage of the game you’re going to play a really tough opponent, regardless,’ Anisimova said after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia on Monday. ‘So, to be able to have a rematch, to face her again and give myself another chance, I’m really, really happy about that.’
How to watch Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek
When: Approximately 3:10 p.m. ET
Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Flushing Meadows, New York)
TV: ESPN, Tennis Channel
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek head-to-head record
Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek have only met once in their professional careers.
Swiatek blanked Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in this year’s Wimbledon final.
Watch Anisimova vs. Swiatek live on Fubo