American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova delivered a stunning performance Saturday, defeating China's top-seeded Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in a dramatic semifinal clash at London's WTA 500 event. The victory sets up a Sunday final against German qualifier Tatjana Maria, who became the oldest WTA Tour finalist since Serena Williams in 2020 after defeating Madison Keys.
Match Breakdown: Momentum Swings
Anisimova dominated early with aggressive baseline play, breaking Zheng twice in the first set. The 22-year-old Chinese star regrouped in the second, rallying from 2-0 down with crucial breaks to force a decider. Both players traded breaks in the final set before Anisimova sealed the match with a crosscourt winner.
Historic Final Showdown
Maria, 37, continues her remarkable career resurgence after maternity leave, while Anisimova seeks her first title since 2022. The final promises tactical contrasts between Anisimova's power and Maria's signature slice-heavy game.
