After an extraordinary season marked by near misses and deep runs, Amanda Anisimova finally returned to the winner’s circle in emphatic fashion. In the final of the China Open in Beijing, she overcame rising Czech star Linda Noskova 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 in 1 hour and 46 minutes to claim her first China Open crown and her second WTA 1000 title of 2025.
This triumph not only rewards her resilience but also underscores her growth as a champion, after heartbreaks at Grand Slams earlier in the season.
A season of highs, setbacks and growth
Anisimova’s 2025 campaign has been one of both breakthrough and near-miss. She opened the year capturing the WTA 1000 title in Doha, a statement that she would be a force on bigger stages. Throughout the season, she pushed further than ever before: making her first major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and earning her first qualification to the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Yet, until Beijing, she had not claimed a title since Doha — a stretch that has weighed on any contender’s psyche. But rather than buckle, Anisimova has clicked into another gear when it mattered, finding maturity, mental fortitude, and the ability to close in big moments.
Road to the Final
The path to the Beijing title was anything but smooth. Anisimova was tested early, surviving grueling matches and pushing through adversity in multiple rounds.
- In the early rounds, she easily defeated Boulter and Zhang, but then had to battle through three sets to overcome Muchova and Paolini.
- In the semifinals, she dispatched defending champion Coco Gauff with a commanding performance (6-1, 6-2).
- Noskova, her final opponent, arrived having stunned Jessica Pegula and other high seeds, riding a wave of belief into her first WTA 1000 final.
Thus, the stage was set: a battle between a seasoned campaigner seeking to close out her breakthrough year, and a young challenger eager to prove she belonged among the elite.
A thrilling decider
Anisimova came out blazing. She claimed the first six games in just 23 minutes, converting all three break-point opportunities and leaving Noskova scrambling. Her serve, groundstrokes, and angle selection pushed Noskova off court repeatedly. At that moment, the final looked one-sided, and the crowd sensed it.
But the Czech would not wilt. Noskova broke immediately, and with steadier serves and more adventurous returns, she asserted pressure. She saved 2 breakpoints, held with resolve, and took the set 6-2, seizing a foothold in the match. It was a reminder of the volatility of tennis, the pendulum had swung.
In the decisive set, Anisimova returned to her heightened level. Both players saved a break point, but it was the American who secured a break first at 3-2. Noskova, drained by her second-set effort, began to show signs of fatigue. Anisimova held serve after saving a second break point and broke Noskova’s serve again, winning the final 4 games, and closing the match with a trademark backhand down the line that sparked cheers and raised her arms in relief and celebration. That final backhand winner was a signature flourish, but it was the result of weeks of resilience, adaptation, and mental toughness.
“To my family back home … I love you.”
During the trophy ceremony and press conference, Anisimova was gracious and reflective. She began by praising her opponent: “It’s been an incredible few weeks. I want to congratulate Linda. You’ve been playing amazing, you’re still so young. I’m sure we have a lot more finals to play. I’m excited to see how your career goes.”
She acknowledged the support of fans, organizers, and her team: “To get the win today has been really special. Thank you to my team for sharing that with me, you guys are the best. I’m excited for a lot more. Also, to my family back home … I love you.”
Noskova, for her part, offered praise with charm and humor: “I definitely wasn’t coming here feeling I’d play in the final… making it here was a nice surprise.” When congratulating Anisimova, she quipped: “You’ve been more than annoying to all of us!” to laughter from the crowd. Her composed response after a loss highlighted both her maturity and the potential ahead.
The key figures with this result
Amanda Anisimova’s triumph in Beijing carried historic weight on several fronts. By lifting the China Open trophy, she became only the third American woman to win the prestigious event, joining Serena Williams (2004, 2013) and Coco Gauff (2024). The victory also capped a remarkable WTA 1000 season, as Anisimova is now the first American since Serena (2015) to capture multiple titles at this level in the same year. It marked the fourth title of her career and her second at the WTA 1000 tier, cementing her rise into the sport’s elite. With her confidence soaring and her place secured at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Anisimova enters the season’s final stretch with undeniable momentum and the aura of a genuine contender.
Beyond the numbers, this win represents a turning point. After coming tantalizingly close in two Grand Slam finals, Anisimova has proven she can close at the highest level. It sends a message: she is not just a contender, but a champion.