Breaking more high-end records, does Anisimova have a chance at the year-end?

If we talk about the most striking performer in this WTA season, American player Anisimova’s name certainly stands out. As a player who claimed junior Grand Slam championships in her teenage years, she had reached a peak singles ranking of world No. 2 at that time.

After transitioning to the professional tour in 2018, Anisimova rapidly adjusted to the senior level competition. That year, entering Indian Wells with a wildcard, she consecutively defeated top players including Kvitova to reach the women’s singles round of 16, marking her first entry into the top 100 in the world rankings.

In 2019, Anisimova repeatedly set new records; starting with the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, where she defeated seeded players like Sabalenka, becoming the first player born after 2000 to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam. Also in 2019, she won her first career title in Bogotá and made history by reaching the French Open semifinals in singles.

It’s important to note that Anisimova was still a minor at that time, and many expected her to rise as a new star in tennis akin to Sharapova. However, her subsequent results did not meet the public’s expectations.

In 2023, due to mental health issues, she chose to take a break from tennis and only returned to the professional circuit last year. After a brief hiatus, Anisimova defeated highly ranked players like Kalinskaya and Sabalenka at the Rogers Cup, reaching her first WTA 1000 final.

Entering the 2025 season, Anisimova hit a new peak in her career. She claimed her first WTA 1000 title in Doha by consecutively defeating players such as Badosa, Fernandez, and Ostapenko. Additionally, she was one of the best performers in the Grand Slams this season, reaching back-to-back singles finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, though finishing as runner-up both times.

Meanwhile, Anisimova is also the only player this season to have defeated all four Grand Slam champions. She beat Sabalenka (Wimbledon semifinal), Swiatek (US Open quarterfinal), Gauff (China Open semifinal), and Keys (Year-End Championships group stage). Her ability to overcome top players deep in major tournaments shows her strong competitive level.

Currently, in the Year-End Championships group stage where Anisimova competes, Keys has been eliminated after two losses, while Lebakina secured first place with two wins. Anisimova will compete with Swiatek for the second spot in the group. Do you think she stands a chance to advance?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Barbie)