Two-time grand slam finalist Amanda Anisimova secured the China Open women’s title on Sunday, overcoming Czech challenger Linda Nosková in a hard-fought 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 victory in Beijing. The win marks a significant high point in a breakout season for the American, which has also included runner-up finishes at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Anisimova appeared set for a swift victory after a dominant opening set, which she won in just 23 minutes as Nosková managed only 12 points. However, Nosková, competing in her first WTA 1000 final, mounted a remarkable comeback. Adopting a more aggressive strategy, the 20-year-old broke Anisimova’s serve in the opening game of the second set and capitalized on 17 unforced errors from her opponent to level the match.
In the deciding set, Anisimova regained her composure. After both players saved early break points, the world No. 4 decisively broke Nosková’s serve to take a 4-2 lead. She sealed the championship with a powerful backhand return winner, collapsing to the court in celebration.
The title provides a triumphant end to a challenging period for Anisimova. Her successful 2025 season has been punctuated by defeats in the Wimbledon and US Open finals to Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, respectively. She also recently withdrew from the Korean Open with an ankle injury.
“I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Anisimova said after the match. “Just figuring out ways to face certain challenges and push myself in moments when it feels like I can’t go any further. I learned that I’m stronger than I think. That’s a huge win for me… winning the title is really incredible.”
Anisimova’s path to the title mirrored the final’s resilience. After two straightforward early wins, she fought back from a set down in consecutive matches against Karolina Muchová and Jasmine Paolini before defeating defending champion and No. 2 seed Coco Gauff in the semifinal.
With this victory, Anisimova joins Serena Williams and Coco Gauff as only the third American to win the China Open women’s singles title. She also becomes the first American woman since Williams in 2015 to win multiple WTA 1000 titles in a single season.
Nosková credited Anisimova’s relentless pressure and powerful groundstrokes. “It’s just the fact that she comes after every point that she possibly can,” she said in her post-match press conference. “Sometimes, it’s just hard to come up with anything, with any plan, in fact, against such fast groundstrokes.”
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