Anisimova weathers Pavlyuchenkova fightback to reach Wimbledon semis

LONDON :Amanda Anisimova collapsed flat on her face in sheer relief after she survived an astonishing and unexpected fightback from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to secure a 6-1 7-6(9) victory and reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.

With Anisimova leading 6-1 5-2, Pavlyuchenkova was left wishing she could disappear through a Wimbledon trapdoor as the American 13th seed bamboozled her opponent with a potpourri of blazing backhands, ferocious forehands and nifty footwork.

But just when it seemed that 23-year-old Anisimova had one foot in the last four, Pavlyuchenkova suddenly came alive and won three games on the trot.

The Russian, 34, saved two match points in the process in the 10th game, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught Anisimova by surprise.

With the world number 50 suddenly believing that she could turn the match around, Anisimova looked like the one on the verge of tears, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak.

Anisimova somehow saved all five set points against her before finally sealing victory when Pavlyuchenkova netted the ball on the American's fourth match point.

Anisimova will next meet world number one Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final.