Defeating a four-time hardcourt Grand Slam champion to reach the final again, which predecessor does Anisimova now compare to?

One side features a four-time hardcourt Grand Slam champion with a flawless record of winning titles once reaching the last four, while the other recently lost a Grand Slam final without winning a game and has faced criticism over mental resilience. Who would you have supported before the event started?

Most people probably sided with Naomi Osaka, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected. American Anisimova rallied from behind to overturn the match and advance to consecutive Grand Slam finals.

By doing so, she became the seventh player in the new century to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time and then immediately make it to the final of the next Grand Slam. So, how did the other six players fare in their back-to-back Grand Slam finals?

Capriati: 2001 Australian Open - 2001 French Open

The first to achieve this feat was Anisimova’s predecessor Capriati. She successfully won back-to-back titles, becoming an unmissable star at the turn of the millennium.

Zvonareva: 2010 Wimbledon - 2010 US Open

Nearly ten years later, another player managed this miracle, but the Russian was less fortunate, finishing as runner-up in both consecutive finals.

Li Na: 2011 Australian Open - 2011 French Open

The following year, Asia’s top player Li Na made her mark. Although she fell short in Australia, she seized the opportunity at the French Open to claim Asia’s first Grand Slam singles title.

Naomi Osaka: 2018 US Open - 2019 Australian Open

The next to achieve this remarkable accomplishment was also Asian, and notably Anisimova’s semifinal opponent. Osaka won her first title by defeating Serena Williams and then secured back-to-back hardcourt Grand Slam titles the following year. Later, she repeated the back-to-back win at the US Open and Australian Open. With four Grand Slam titles, she has surpassed Li Na to become Asia’s most successful tennis player.

Jabeur: 2022 Wimbledon - 2022 US Open

Tunisia’s top player, affectionately nicknamed “Jialing” by Chinese fans, also achieved this feat, though she has not been able to replicate those peak moments since.

Paolini: 2024 French Open - 2024 Wimbledon

Last year, Paolini, warmly called “Bao Zong” by Chinese supporters, unfortunately finished runner-up in both events and has not matched last year’s form this season.

Anisimova: 2025 Wimbledon - 2025 US Open?

Holding a lead in head-to-head matches against the defending champion, fresh off a semifinal win at Wimbledon, and playing on home soil, can Anisimova reach the summit this time?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Luo Cheng Qiye)