Anisimova outwills Paolini in Beijing endurance test

Under Beijing’s crisp autumn lights on the Diamond Court, Amanda Anisimova extended her remarkable resurgence with a gritty victory over Jasmine Paolini. The American, who has rebuilt her game through injury setbacks and mental trials, rallied from a set down to win 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 47 minutes. This second straight comeback in the quarterfinals not only advances her to an all-American semifinal against Coco Gauff but also locks in a career-first berth to the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

Rally ignites amid early pressure

Paolini struck first, her crosscourt backhands and quick inside-out forehands pinning Anisimova deep in prolonged rallies that tested early focus. The Italian’s consistent probing forced a tense tiebreak, where lapses in rhythm handed the opener to the No. 6 seed and echoed the doubts Anisimova has confronted throughout a demanding year. Yet as the set concluded, the American’s gaze sharpened, channeling quiet resolve into a renewed push that silenced the court’s murmurs.

In the second set, Anisimova’s adjustments took hold—her serve gained bite, returns plunged deeper, disrupting Paolini’s baseline flow and turning defense into aggressive counters. The crowd’s energy swelled with each extended exchange, the air heavy with chalk dust and building tension. This shift marked more than tactics; it reflected the psychological lift of a player shedding the weight of past inconsistencies.

Underspin disrupts in decisive third

As the match stretched into its third hour, Anisimova varied her underspin slices to jam Paolini’s flat drives, creating openings for down-the-line winners that exploited the hard court’s true bounce. The Italian countered with sharp one–two combinations, probing Anisimova’s stamina, but the American’s footwork remained crisp under the glare, her errors fading as confidence surged. Beijing’s medium pace amplified her flat-hitting arsenal, outpacing Paolini’s retrieval in a duel of attrition.

This triumph represents Anisimova’s sixth semifinal of 2025, a peak in consistency forged across diverse surfaces from clay to hard. The emotional undercurrent ran deep; she has navigated internal battles that once threatened her path, yet here they fueled a breakthrough against a top seed riding her own breakout momentum.

Finals berth reshapes her trajectory

Securing the Riyadh invitation amid the year’s tight rankings math feels like hard-earned vindication for Anisimova, who edges into the top-eight cutoff through these deep runs rather than flashes of brilliance. Paolini’s hopes dim slightly with the defeat, underscoring how a single high-stakes clash can pivot seasons. Now facing Gauff’s explosive athleticism, Anisimova eyes further glory; consult the Scores, Draws, and Order of play for the latest on this unfolding drama.

As the China Open builds to its climax, Anisimova’s story pulses with potential, her maturing power ready to challenge in the semis and beyond.