Amanda Anisimova has a shot at revenge at the US Open against Iga Swiatek, who handed the American the heaviest defeat of her career in the Wimbledon final less than two months ago.
Anisimova, who is seeded eighth in the draw, stormed into the last eight of her home Grand Slam for the first time after beating Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-0, 6-3. The 24-year-old has dropped just one set in four matches played so far in New York, which was in the third round against Jaqueline Cristian. It is the first time she has reached back-to-back Grand Slam quarter-finals on the Tour.
Awaiting Anisimova in the last eight will be nemesis Swiatek, who famously crushed her 6-0, 6-0, in this year’s Wimbledon final. That was the first time a major final has been won by a player without dropping a game since the 1988 French Open.
“I don’t think it helped me become a better player in any way,” Anisimova replied when asked if that match helped her develop in any way.
“It wasn’t a good performance by any means. I feel like maybe I learned some things from it and some things I can do differently, but above all I think it was just a learning experience.
“Bouncing back from that actually was a little bit difficult because that never happened to me before. But I’ve worked through it, and the hard-court season started off strong for me. So I feel like I have moved on from that at this point.”
Since the thrashing, Anisimova has won seven out of eight matches played on the Tour, with her only loss being to Elina Svitolina at the National Bank Open. A former US Open junior champion back in 2017, the 24-year-old has won three WTA titles so far in her career, with one of those triumphs being at a WTA 1000 event in Doha earlier this year.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to it,” she said of her upcoming rematch against Swiatek.
“At this stage of the game, you’re going to play a really tough opponent regardless. So to be able to face her again and give myself another chance, I’m really happy about that.
“I feel like it’s going to be a really tough challenge, but I feel like I’ve been playing well. I’m sure it’s going to be a great match and I hope I can put on a good performance.”
Anisimova is the sixth American woman to reach the quarter-finals or better on all three surfaces at Grand Slam events over the past 20 years. The others who achieve this are the Williams sisters, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula.
