By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, Could 30, 2025
Photograph credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
Newbie artist Amanda Anisimova is portray an inspiring clay comeback in Paris.
Anisimova defused Clara Tauson 7-6(4), 6-4 to cost into the Roland Garros fourth spherical for the primary time since 2022.
Ranked a career-high No. 16, Anisimova greater than doubled the harmful Tauson’s winner complete—38 to 16—and broke serve 3 times.
Contesting her seventh Roland Garros, Anisimova arrange a blockbuster rematch towards world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Earlier, Sabalenka tamed tough lefty Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 powering into the Roland Garros fourth spherical for the third straight yr.
Three-time main champion Sabalenka has surrendered simply 10 video games in three match wins as she appears pushed to gather her maiden Roland Garros title.
The 23-year-old Anisimova is 5-2 lifetime vs. Sabalenka, successful three of their 4 clay-court clashes.
The fourth-round match is a rematch of the 2019 Roland Garros that noticed Anisimova sweep Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2. A then 17-year-old Anisimova electrified Paris that summer season reaching the semifinals and taking a set from eventual-champion Ash Barty earlier than bowing in three units.
Controlling the middle of the court docket—and taking part in proactive down the road drive shall be two keys when Anisimova and Sabalenka sq. off for a quarterfinal spot.
“We’re each some fairly huge hitters, so I am certain we will be going at it forwards and backwards a bit,” Anisimova mentioned. “Yeah, [she’s] clearly the most effective proper now.
“She’s No. 1. I really feel prefer it’s all the time a superb matchup. I actually benefit from the combat and the problem that she brings on. I am simply wanting ahead to it. Hopefully I can deliver my A recreation. Hopefully will probably be a superb match.”
Twelve People—seven girls and 5 males—superior to the Roland Garros third spherical. It’s solely the second time since 1991 (14) that 12 or extra People have reached the third spherical on the French Open.
Anisimova, who defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, to win the WTA 1000 title in Doha earlier this yr, is having fun with her greatest season after struggling burn-out that compelled her to step away from the game and pursue her love of artwork.
Tennis had change into “insufferable” for her after experiencing burn-out for the reason that summer season of 2022, mentioned Anisimova.
“I wasn’t actually feeling nice in October of 2022 I feel,” Anisimova mentioned. “So it was fairly some time. It took a very long time for me to make that call. Clearly it is a huge determination to step away from the sport I feel at any level.
“It would not matter if it is in the course of the season or the preseason as a result of we actually by no means get day without work.”
Today, Anisimova appears to be having fun with herself extra on court docket and has managed her schedule to offer herself extra psychological breaks.
You may hint Anisimova’s present pleasure journey again to final August.
Crunching pictures with conviction, Anisimova stunned second-seeded Sabalenka 6-4, 6-2 to advance to her maiden WTA 1000 semifinal in Toronto—her first Tour-level semifinal since 2022 Charleston. World No. 139 Anisimova turned the lowest-ranked girl to achieve the Canadian Open semifinals since then No. 937 Sloane Stephens in 2017 and has continued to soar since.
Anticipate the balls to be bruised when supreme shotmakers and explosive energy gamers face off.
Apparently, Anisimova has scored all three of her straight units wins this week on the comfy confines of Court docket 14 the place she’s loved robust help.
Dealing with world No. 1 Sabalenka, probably on Court docket Philippe Chatrier, offers Anisimova an opportunity to showcase her recreation on the largest pink clay stage within the sport.
“It is all the time particular to play somebody who’s ranked No. 1 on the earth. It isn’t typically you get to do this, so I actually attempt to embrace the chance and the expertise,” Anisimova mentioned. “It will likely be on an enormous court docket, too. I like taking part in on huge stadiums.
“I am simply going to attempt to go in there and actually benefit from the ambiance and benefit from the crowd. And, yeah, attempt to put up a combat.
“I would say it is all the time a bit of bit extra completely different and particular once you play towards the highest gamers.”
