Amanda Anisimova dealt out more Grand Slam heartbreak to world number one Aryna Sabalenka as she booked her place in the Wimbledon final with victory in a thrilling contest.
American Anisimova, the 13th seed, waved and blew kisses to the crowd after securing a remarkable 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory on a blazing hot day on Centre Court.
The 23-year-old saved 11 of the 14 break points she faced to seal her place in a maiden Grand Slam final, converting her fourth match point of a gruelling contest lasting two hours and 35 minutes.
“This doesn’t feel real, I was absolutely dying out there,” she said.
“I don’t know how I pulled it out. To come out on top today and be in the final of Wimbledon is so incredibly special.”
Sabalenka has twice suffered heartbreak in major finals this year – losing in Australia to Madison Keys and then in Paris to Coco Gauff.
This time she will not even feature in Saturday’s showpiece, having played in the past three Grand Slam finals.
Anisimova will face the winner of Thursday’s second semi-final between five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
