Prime Shot: Anisimova Units Up RG Showdown vs. No. 1 Sabalenka

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, Might 30, 2025
Photograph 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 damaging Tauson’s winner whole—38 to 16—and broke serve thrice.

Contesting her seventh Roland Garros, Anisimova arrange a blockbuster rematch in opposition to 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 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 time 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 enjoying 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 stated. “Yeah, [she’s] clearly among the best proper now.

“She’s No. 1. I really feel prefer it’s at all times matchup. I actually benefit from the battle and the problem that she brings on. I am simply wanting ahead to it. Hopefully I can convey my A sport. Hopefully it is going to 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 out to be “insufferable” for her after experiencing burn-out for the reason that summer time of 2022, stated Anisimova.

“I wasn’t actually feeling nice in October of 2022 I believe,” Anisimova stated. “So it was fairly some time. It took a very long time for me to make that call. Clearly it is a huge choice to step away from the sport I believe at any level.

“It does not matter if it is in the midst of the season or the preseason as a result of we actually by no means get day without work.”

As of late, 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 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 grew to become the lowest-ranked lady 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 comfortable confines of Court docket 14 the place she’s loved sturdy assist.

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

“It is at all times particular to play somebody who’s ranked No. 1 on this planet. It isn’t typically you get to do this, so I actually try to embrace the chance and the expertise,” Anisimova stated. “It will likely be on a giant courtroom, too. I like enjoying on huge stadiums.

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

“I might say it is at all times somewhat bit extra completely different and particular once you play in opposition to the highest gamers.”