Anisimova Upsets Sabalenka, Sabalenka Assists Fans at Wimbledon Semifinals

During the 2025 Wimbledon Women's Singles semifinal, Amanda Anisimova secured her biggest career victory by defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a tightly contested match that ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, advancing her to her first Grand Slam final. The match featured notable crowd disturbances due to the players' loud grunting and a controversial moment when Sabalenka allegedly demanded an apology from Anisimova after a net cord incident. Despite the loss, Sabalenka received praise for her compassionate actions toward fans suffering from heat-related illnesses during the match, where temperatures were in the mid-80s; she personally offered water and ice packs to multiple fans, earning ovations and positive recognition. This humanitarian side contrasted with earlier criticism of Sabalenka's behavior at the French Open, showing her growth in managing emotions and focus on her dream of winning Wimbledon. Anisimova, confident and aware of Sabalenka's top ranking, looked forward to playing the winner between Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic, with the tournament guaranteed to crown a first-time women’s singles champion. Sabalenka’s gestures mirrored similar acts by other players like Carlos Alcaraz, highlighting player awareness and care for fans during extreme conditions.