Amanda Anisimova Triumphs Over Cristian 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to Secure Spot in US Open Round of 16
Amanda Anisimova, hailing from Freehold, New Jersey, has recently added some impressive accolades to her career, including becoming a WTA 100 champion and reaching the finals at Wimbledon. Now approaching her twenty-fourth birthday, she stands at #9 in the rankings, having previously peaked at #7 in July.
Her opponent, Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, is a tough competitor, currently holding the rank of #50. Though unseeded, Cristian has exhibited the caliber of a top-fifteen player, defeating both Danielle Collins in straight sets and Ashlyn Krueger in three sets during the tournament. This marked their first encounter on tour, and Cristian opted to serve first after winning the toss.
Although Cristian struggled initially with her first serves, she managed to hold at 15 with an ace. Anisimova made a few unforced errors, faced deuce, and even a break point, yet she held her own to keep the score level. Both players were relentless in their pursuit of outright winners, showcasing power from both wings.
Cristian showcased her skills with a powerful backhand down the line, but after facing deuce and three break points, she faltered and dropped her serve on an overhit backhand. Anisimova then executed a stunning forehand down the line, holding serve easily for 3-1, while Cristian struggled, committing three consecutive double faults.
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As the fifth game commenced, Anisimova unleashed an impressive inside-out forehand, and with two consecutive winning forehands, she held serve for 5-1. Cristian, needing to stay in the set, managed to hold with three successful first serves, while Anisimova faced some adversity on her next serve, going down to 0-30 and later 30-40, ultimately dropping serve due to a netted forehand.
Despite the pressure at 3-5, Cristian made errors but rallied to hold serve with two well-placed serves. Anisimova started the tenth game on shaky ground but quickly found her form, reaching double set point and sealing the deal when Cristian’s return sailed long.
In the second set, Cristian served first, struggling with her delivery. She committed three double faults and faced multiple break points but ultimately dropped serve on a misdirected backhand. Anisimova was unable to capitalize, faltering with a double fault of her own.
With Cristian holding easily at 2-1, Anisimova leveled the match, despite another double fault. Both players held serve in a flurry of deuce games, but Cristian eventually pulled ahead at 5-4. Anisimova, serving to stay in the set, stumbled, allowing Cristian to take it.
The match was an exciting spectacle, with both players aggressively trying to dominate with their serves. With an abundance of unforced errors, they exhibited both skill and a sense of urgency throughout.
In the deciding set, Cristian served first and initially struggled. After making 4/6 first serves, she faced a break point and surrendered her serve when Anisimova struck fiercely with a backhand down the line. However, the American soon lost her momentum, giving back the break with four unforced errors.
Despite facing pressure, Cristian couldn’t solidify the break, falling to Anisimova’s improved movement and defense, which allowed the American to establish a 3-1 lead.
Cristian managed to fire off two aces to hold firm at 2-3, but Anisimova countered with her own aces, maintaining a lead of 4-2. Cristian’s backhand faltered, leading to another break.
As Anisimova served for the match, it was anything but smooth sailing. She had to navigate through deuce and a double break point but pulled through with two additional aces and a netted backhand from Cristian, propelling her into the fourth round of her home slam for the first time.
In the end, Anisimova recorded six aces, four double faults, winning 64% of her first serve and 44% of her second. She saved 4/8 break points while converting 6/15. Despite amassing thirty-seven winners, she also tallied forty-six unforced errors, a statistic she will need to improve as she aims for a deeper run in the tournament.
Now, as she prepares for the round of sixteen, Anisimova faces a tough challenge against either Beatriz Haddad Maia, the southpaw from Brazil and the 18th seed, or former world #3 Maria Sakkari from Greece, who has the advantage of a 2-0 head-to-head against Anisimova, including a straight-sets triumph at the 2020 US Open. On the flip side, Anisimova leads Haddad Maia 2-1, though their last match was over two years ago.
