When Amanda Anisimova lost in the US Open a month ago, the writing on the wall was quite clear for her as she said, “I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.” Fast forward to the China Open, and she has already returned to yet another final after dispatching defending champion Coco Gauff in a 6-1, 6-2 semifinal win that only took her 58 minutes. Even though she didn’t show it on the center court after she won on her final serve, her entry to her first final in Beijing was a surprise to her for one key reason.

Post her semifinals victory, the American confessed in an interview, “I’m really excited to be in the final. I played a great match, all my shots worked. I wish I could play at this level more often. I’m understanding myself better and better, I’m true to my style, and I enjoy tough challenges. I didn’t expect to do so well here after weeks of inactivity. Also, the same day I was flying to Beijing, I had to have a wisdom tooth removed.” 

Last time, Anisimova played against the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in last month’s US Open. Although she couldn’t snatch the win from the Belarusian, she certainly gave her a hard time in her back-to-back Slam finals performance. While this would be the American’s second WTA 1000 final of the season, fifth overall, she was more surprised by how her dental procedure only made her play better. However, it’s not to say that she wasn’t nervous about her run here.

In fact, before entering Beijing, she pondered, “Is it a mistake I’m flying there? Everything was just off to a bad start.” However, she maintained her grit and also snatched the No. 4 spot with the win over her American compatriot. Turns out, she also knew the reason for her dominant run.

“When I don’t feel in the best possible physical shape, I play more liberated because I take the pressure off. I’m surprising myself,” Anisimova stated. “I feel like I’m improving a lot as a tennis player. The achievements I have achieved this year are the result of the hard work I have done, and I want to finish the season in the best possible way. It’s not easy, because the year is very long, but I’m very confident.”

Once halted by setbacks, injuries, and pauses in rhythm, she now carries the maturity of a player who thrives in chaos rather than fears it. Beijing has become her proving ground, where physical strain and mental strength have fused into a fearless force. Her comeback began after stepping away from the grind of the Asian swing post-US Open due to an ankle injury. 

Now, after the heartbreak of her US Open final loss to Sabalenka, she stands again at the brink of winning her second singles title this season as she faces Linda Nosková in Beijing. But through it all, she didn’t forget to thank the biggest supporters energizing her throughout the run.

“I love playing here,” she admitted before giving the spotlight to her fans. “The crowd support has been so amazing since the first day that I got here, and I really think that’s carried me through this entire tournament. So, hopefully, everyone can come out and support me again in the final.”

As Anisimova won on the final strike, the center court broke into a thunderous sound of applause. With the win, the 24-year-old is set to write her own story of an upcoming threat.

Amanda Anisimova on the rise

Indeed, her semifinal triumph in Beijing was nothing short of ruthless. She lost just five points on her first serve and tore through the opening five games in a display of supreme control. For Coco Gauff, it was uncharted territory; her only previous defeat on Beijing’s main court had come against Iga Swiatek in the 2023 semifinals. But it was different for the American this time.

From the start, Gauff struggled to settle. Her serve betrayed her with five double faults, while her groundstrokes flew long or crashed into the net. What was billed as a heavyweight clash quickly became a lopsided matchup. Anisimova seized the moment, improving her career head-to-head with Gauff to 2-1.

Her victory also carved her name into history. She became only the third American to reach the China Open women’s singles final, joining Serena Williams (2004, 2013) and Gauff (2024). Even more telling, she is the lone player this season to defeat Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Gauff. Now the stage sharpens to its final act. Against 20-year-old Linda Nosková, the question burns: can Anisimova’s fire carry her all the way? The tennis world waits.