Aunt Anisimova rocks with Jackson after reaching Wimbledon semis

LONDON :A year after Amanda Anisimova's attempt to qualify for Wimbledon ended in failure, the American cradled her young nephew on Court One to celebrate a remarkable turnaround in fortunes as she reached the All England Club semi-finals for the first time.

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 set up a fascinating showdown with world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Once a beaming Anisimova had lifted herself off the ground, she scooped up her three-year-old nephew Jackson for a victory lap.

By then it was hard to tell who was more excited, Anisimova or Jackson, who could be heard shouting out to his aunt mid-rally on numerous occasions.

"It has been an extraordinary year for me with so many highs. I am enjoying every step of the way and, even in times like today I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment," said Anisimova, whose only previous appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final was at the French Open six years ago.

"My nephew has never seen a match of mine in my life, so it was super special, and to get the win also on top of that is just an incredible experience."

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

But just when it seemed that Anisimova had one foot in the last four, the 34-year-old Russian's game suddenly caught fire and she won three games in a row.

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

With the