Anisimova 0-5 Swiatek* – Swiatek breaks
More murmurs from the crowd as Anisimova starts the game with a double fault. The American then sprays a forehand wide for 0-30. She is struggling to cope with Swiatek’s snake-like grip on this contest.
In the blink of an eye it’s 0-40 as Anisimova misses a fearsome Swiatek return long.
Swiatek takes the third break with a brilliant crosscourt backhand winner.
With barely 20 minutes on the clock, the Pole will serve for the first set.
Anisimova* 0-4 Swiatek
The crowd purrs as Anisimova unleashes a trademark backhand winner for 0-15. Hopefully that’s a confidence-booster.
Swiatek calmly responds by landing a serve that the American can’t get back, 15-15. Another excellent Anisimova backhand prompts a Swiatek shank, 15-30…
The Pole excellently manages to handle a fantastic, deep return by her opponent, sending it back low and forcing a miss, 30-30.
Anisimova sends a backhand into the net, Swiatek’s pressure is absolutely relentless.
This time Anisimova nets a forehand and it’s game, Swiatek.
Anisimova 0-3 Swiatek* – Swiatek breaks
Swiatek thumps a forehand return long, 15-0. The crowd are trying to get behind Anisimova.
Groans follow as the American double faults, 15-15. Anisimova shakes that off to conjure a lovely serve and trademark backhand combination crosscourt for 30-15.
Swiatek misses a backhand of her own to set up two game points for Anisimova. The Pole then fist pumps as her next backhand flies down the line and beyond her opponent for a clean winner, 40-30.
Another groan from Centre Court as Anisimova nets a forehand off a Swiatek backhand return, deuce. The No13 seed let’s out a roar after Swiatek misses a return.
But we’re quickly back to deuce as a perfect Swiatek return to Anisimova’s toes prompts a miss. The ball dies as the No8 seed tries to chase down a backhand, which she can only feebly send into the net.
Swiatek sends Anisimova scrambling over to her backhand wing, and the underdog can only send it back into the net.
The five-time Grand Slam champion is then presented with a break point as Anisimova misses a forehand crosscourt wide.
Anisimova double faults to hand Swiatek a second break of serve.
Anisimova* 0-2 Swiatek
Anisimova has not got going here and another backhand slumps into the net.
She is bouncing around on the baseline to try and shake out those nerves – but sends another backhand off target with that one landing beyond the baseline.
Copy and paste.
Anisimova steps in and hits the backhand long. 40-0.
Applause for the American as Swiatek whips a forehand into the net.
And the Pole consolidates the break when Anisimova goes long.
Just struggling to find her range.
Anisimova 0-1 Swiatek* – Swiatek breaks
Nervy start for the American who shanks her first forehand well out then nets for 0-30.
And Swiatek opens up three breaks points as Anisimova nets a forehand.
Worrying start…
Anisimova saves the first with a nice forehand winner into the open court.
But the break comes when Swiatek pings one deep and Anisimova cannot get out of the way in time and sends the forehand well out.
Princess Kate is in the front row of the Royal Box.
Anisimova* 0-0 Swiatek
The American wins the toss and it’s time to get underway.
We will have a new winner in the next couple of hours.
But who will it be?
Amanda Anisimova or Iga Swiatek?
