𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

All the momentum is with Sabalenka now.

While at least one of those earlier pauses, due to fans fainting, seemed to disrupt her, this bathroom break benefits her.

She breaks Anisimova’s serve to love after they return to the grass.

*Sabalenka 4-6, 6-4, 2-0 Anisimova

Given the hot conditions, both players have taken a break here after nearly two hours of play.

Sabalenka 4-6, 6-4 Anisimova*

Anisimova battles back to 30-30, but the American slams a routine return into the net.

Set point – and a big first serve cannot be returned cleanly by Anisimova.

We’re going to a decider here.

*Sabalenka 4-6, 5-4 Anisimova

What a battle, and now one hour 38 minutes into this semi-final, Sabalenka must serve to extend this to a third set and a third hour…

The grit to hold on and just put the pressure back on Sabalenka was quite astonishing there.

Four set points erased, she’s at least shown she will not hand this second set to Sabalenka.

Sabalenka 4-6, 5-3 Anisimova*

Majestic from Anisimova, who goes down swinging. That forehand erases set point for Sabalenka.

But she gets another… To force a third set: Big serve… OUT. Second serve is in… But Sabalenka nets. A grimace on her face.

The kick-serve saves a third set point on her save, this time Sabalenka’s backhand is too long.

Wow! What a backhand on the run, it passes Animisova, whose backhand smash was majestic, but just not enough. A fourth break and set point… NO! She fetches one from deep by her ankles but the backhand is too heavy. What a grind, the point of the match and now this might be the game of the match.

The No 1 seed now tosses a lazy forehand out wide off the Anisimova serve, but we’re back to deuce five, as the American’s backhand on the run is arrowed down the line and out.

*Sabalenka 4-6, 4-3 Anisimova

The tension is palpable, Anisimova plants one into the net with her forehand on the run. Break point…

First serve just out, second serve… net! BREAK!

Quite incredible, the first sign of the American crumbling under the pressure. She’d saved four out of four break points until then.

From yelps and screams to… deadly silence and murmurings on Centre Court after the break. A crucial point in the match, there.

Sabalenka 4-6, 3-3 Anisimova*

A huge scream mid-game after a ball drifts long… But Sabalenka holds on just as the game was slipping away from here.

An almighty yelp as she secures the game and draws level at three games apiece.

Barely any acknowledgement from Anisimova over the theatrics from her opponent, who turns and spins after the first point on the American’s serve, muttering some words to herself.

The No 13 seed is displaying immense placement, just shuffling her illustrious opponent around the court and gently putting her away at times.

*Sabalenka 4-6, 2-3 Anisimova

75 seconds! That’s all it took, with the average game so far taking three minutes and 37 seconds.

There’s a screech from Sabalenka, who is infuriated by the flow of this match so far.

A crucial hold from Anisimova, who is half-way to the total games she’ll need in this set to secure a place in the final.

*Sabalenka 4-6, 1-2 Anisimova

Tracy Austin has a theory about Sabalenka’s bid to get back into the contest.

“Hit hard, hit the slice, hit hard, hit the slice…” she says, suggesting what “Plan C” might be.

It’s not working just yet, Anisimova is up 2-1 now, edging closer towards the final.

Sabalenka 4-6, 1-1 Anisimova*

Anisimova is outhitting Sabalenka, 15 winners to the No 1 seed’s 10.

She leads 1-0 here in the second and the pressure is back on the Belarusian.

Some heavy serves from Sabalenka, then a gorgeous forehand down the line, guided with effortless power.