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Amanda Anisimova is the first player to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open. The American extended her comeback run with a notable 7-5, 6-4 triumph over Paula Badosa in an hour and 28 minutes at John Cain Arena. Thus, Amanda will compete in the fourth round in Melbourne for the third time, achieving that in 2019 at 17!
Her next rival is the defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, and it should be a cracking duel between two hard-hitting competitors. Amanda took a break from tennis last year, feeling six and tired of everything at 21 and stepping away from the game.
Now, she looks ready to chase the titles again, especially when she finds the rhythm and improve her physical strength after such a long break. Anisimova struggled against Badosa, breathing heavily after the opening set and not moving well.
However, she endured the effort and wrapped up the win in under an hour and a half following a valiant performance. Amanda served at 75%, which saved her.
Amanda Anisimova took down Paula Badosa at the Australian Open.
She lost serve three times and seized five out of eight break points to emerge at the top in straight sets and preserve energy.
The American fired 40 winners and 29 unforced errors, keeping the shots on her racquet and controlling her fate. Anisimova built the advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, attacking and prevailing in the pivotal moments to move into the last 16.
Badosa broke in the encounter's second game but did not stay in front for too long, as Anisimova pulled it back on her fourth break chance in game three with a backhand crosscourt winner. The Spaniard attacked in the fourth game and clinched her second straight break with a forehand down the line winner.
Paula painted a backhand down the line winner in the fifth game, producing a hold and forging a healthy 4-1 lead. Amanda stayed focused and broke back in game seven with a forehand down the line winner before holding for 4-4 after Paula's loose volley.
The American delivered her second straight break in game nine, moving 5-4 up and serving for the opener. Instead of bringing it home, Anisimova lost serve after Badosa's forehand down the line winner, with the Spaniard locking the result at 5-5 and extending the set.
Amanda found her A-game on the return again in game 11, landing a backhand crosscourt winner and notching her third break in a row. The American served for the set for the second time at 6-5, and they embrace a 12-minute struggle.
Badosa squandered three break points, and Anisimova accumulated seven set points.
The American seized the last with a volley winner at the net, wrapping up the opener 7-5 after 58 minutes and taking a medical timeout.
They needed 16 minutes to complete the opening six games of the second set, with Amanda leveling the score at 3-3 with a service winner. The American barely lost a point behind the initial shot in five service games, and the Spaniard could not survive until the tie break.
Anisimova earned three break points in game seven with a backhand winner and cracked a forehand down the line winner on the first for a break at love. Amanda cemented the lead with a hold at love in game eight, firing a forehand winner and moving closer to the finish line.
Paula produced a fine hold in game nine, reducing the deficit to 5-4. However, she stood no chance on the return in game ten, as Amanda held at 15 with a forced error to seal the deal and move into the next round.