The top-seeded Ashleigh Barty defeated with 2-0 (6:4, 6:3) the American Amanda Anisimova and for the fourth consecutive year will play in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
The world’s number one managed to cope with the fierce resistance of the American, proving to be the more stable player in key points in the 74-minute race at Rod Laver Arena.
Although Ashleigh Barty broke her stunning streak of 63 consecutive service game wins, her ability to fend off opponents was also evident against 20-year-old Amanda Anisimova.
In her quest to become the first local champion since Christine O’Neil in 1978, Ashleigh Barty made three break in the second set and secured a match with another American, Jessica Pegula. The match is on Wednesday for a place in the semifinals.
After the match, Ashleigh Barty congratulated Amanda Anisimova, and the two had a meeting in the semifinals of “Roland Garros” in 2019. Then Ashleigh Barty won the match again and eventually lifted the trophy in Paris.
“She’s an amazing athlete, an amazing tennis player. One of the athletes who always fight for every point”, said Ashleigh Barty. “I think the best for her is yet to come”, explained the Australian.
The first set was quite equal, as Ashleigh Barty made a break from the third attempt in the seventh game. In the second set, Anisimova started very strong, made a break for 2:0. But the Australian reversed the development with an immediate re-break and later equalized. Things went smoothly to 3:3, after which the Australian took the last three games and moved on.
