Top Shot: Anisimova Sets Up RG Showdown vs. No. 1 Sabalenka

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, Could 30, 2025
Picture credit score: Robert Prange/Getty

Novice 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 whole—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 difficult lefty Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 powering into the Roland Garros fourth spherical for the third straight 12 months.

Three-time main champion Sabalenka has surrendered simply 10 video games in three event wins as she seems to be 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 courtroom—and taking part in proactive down the road drive will likely 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’ll be going at it backwards and forwards a bit,” Anisimova mentioned. “Yeah, [she’s] clearly among the finest proper now.

“She’s No. 1. I really feel prefer it’s at all times matchup. I actually benefit from the combat and the problem that she brings on. I am simply wanting ahead to it. Hopefully I can convey my A recreation. Hopefully it will likely be match.”

Twelve Individuals—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 Individuals 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 12 months, 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 turn 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 time without work.”

Nowadays, Anisimova appears to be having fun with herself extra on courtroom and has managed her schedule to provide herself extra psychological breaks.

You may hint Anisimova’s present pleasure trip again to final August.

Crunching pictures with conviction, Anisimova shocked 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.

Count on 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 comfortable confines of Courtroom 14 the place she’s loved sturdy assist.

Dealing with world No. 1 Sabalenka, possible on Courtroom Philippe Chatrier, offers Anisimova an opportunity to showcase her recreation on the most important pink clay stage within the sport.

“It is at all times particular to play somebody who’s ranked No. 1 on the earth. It is not typically you get to do this, so I actually attempt to embrace the chance and the expertise,” Anisimova mentioned. “Will probably be on an enormous courtroom, too. I like taking part in on huge stadiums.

“I am simply going to attempt to go in there and actually benefit from the environment and benefit from the crowd. And, yeah, attempt to put up a combat.

“I might say it is at all times somewhat bit extra totally different and particular while you play towards the highest gamers.”