By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, January 19, 2024

 

Continuing her comeback, Amanda Anisimova topped Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-4 and will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a fourth round showdown.

Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty

Amanda Anisimova’s art is expressive therapy.

Painting splashes of bold strikes all over the blue court, Anisimova continues creating a vivid comeback at this Australian Open.

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Facing a 1-4 first-set deficit and stomach cramps, Anisimova charged through six of the next seven games powering past Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-4 into the Australian Open fourth round for the third time.

Stinging the sweet spot from both wings, Anisimova belted 40 winners—22 more than Badosa—in an impressive 92-minute victory.

“I relaxed completely because honestly I was trying to save all my energy—that first set took a lot out of me,” Anisimova said in her on-court interview. “I was down 1-4. In the second set, I was just trying to give all my energy for the point and not even say come on anymore.”



It’s a major step forward in her journey back after taking a break from tennis to focus on mental health.

The 22-year-old Anisimova, who reached the semifinals at Roland Garros as a 17-year-old in 2019, said tennis had become “unbearable” for her after experiencing burn-out since the summer of 2022.

“I wasn't really feeling great in October of 2022 I think,” Anisimova told the media in Melbourne. “So it was quite a while. It took a long time for me to make that decision. Obviously it's a big decision to step away from the game I think at any point.

“It doesn't matter if it's in the middle of the season or the preseason because we really never get time off. Yeah, it just didn't seem like I would be able to push through it because I just wasn't enjoying it, and I was just, like, I just need a break from all of this. I was lucky that I was able to do that. So, yeah, I think it was very helpful for me, but it did take a long time to actually make that decision, yeah.”

Stepping away from the sport allowed Anisimova to spend time with her family and friends, take art classes and express her creativity through painting and volunteer at an animal shelter.

Anisimova has returned refreshed.

“After taking some time off, I’m feeling really good,” Anisimova said. “I think the most important thing is that I’m enjoying my time out there…

“I’m really proud of myself. I wasn't sure should I expect to do well because a lot of people were telling me, Don't put too much expectations on yourself. You've taken a lot of time off. Don't get too down on yourself if you don't do well at these tournaments. I kind of took that in a little bit, but I still expected a lot out of myself.

"But at the same time I was going to be happy whether I lose in the first round or if I do well. So I was going in with that approach. I'm just really happy that I was able to get this far, but I still think that I can do more.”

AO fans are relishing the big-hitting blockbuster battle between Aryna Sabalenka and Anisimova in the fourth round.

The second-seeded Sabalenka has turned her AO title defense into demolition run.

Sabalenka demolished Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0 in a 52-minute thrashing.



Tsurenko, like many Ukrainian players, does not shake hands with Russians and Belarusians in protest of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Sabalenka said she understands Tsurenko’s stance.

“Well, this situation happening for a long time on tour, and I understand everyone position and I respect everyone's position,” Sabalenka said. “She was quite respectful. She said, Great play. She didn't shake my hand, but she was respectful to me, so I appreciate that.”

A ruthless Sabalenka has permitted just six games in six sets dispensing three bagels in her three tournament wins.

The showdown between two explosive shotmakers is a rematch of the 2019 AO third round, which Anisimova won 6-3, 6-2. Overall, Anisimova has won four of five meetings vs. the Belarusian, who knows she must take the first strike to stop the American.

“Well, first of all, I'm happy that she's back on tour. Secondly, we had a lot of great matches against each other, always tough battles,” Sabalenka said of Anisimova. “I'm happy that my first week was not simple, but it wasn't, like, super long matches. Yeah, first week is past. You know, like now it's time to focus to the next week.

“I'm not expecting, like, easy matches, because when you're getting to last stages of the tournaments, it's not going to be easy at all. I'm just trying to, as I said before, prepare myself as good as I can, and so make sure I bring my best level and I compete in the high level.”

How will Anisimova, who took treatment for stomach cramps today and played with a sore shoulder in her 2024 opener in Auckland respond to facing one of the most physically imposing players on Tour?

And how will Sabalenka face the pressure Anisimova can bring commanding the center of the court?

Anisimova took the 57-minute opener then took a medical timeout for treatment for cramps.

“I just wasn't feeling great. I was having bad stomach cramps,” Anisimova said. “I just felt like I was going to throw up. So it was just like I can't step away, so it was just a tricky situation, but I think the medical time-out kind of helped me throughout the second set.

"Yeah, it was a bit difficult to still play in the second set, but I was still playing well. I was just trying to take my time, so that helped.”

Badosa banged an ace out wide, stamping a solid hold to start the second set.

Scalding the sideline with a backhand down the line, Anisimova held at 15.

A key to this match was Anisimova’s willingness to step into the court and change direction with damaging drives down the line.

Anisimova rocketed a forehand winner down the line breaking at love for a 4-3 lead just 22 minutes into the second set.

Slashing 10 straight points, Anisimova slammed another forehand down the line sealing a second straight love game for 5-2.



Afterward, former Indian Wells champion Badosa called Anisimova’s ball striking “unbelievable.”

“Well, I always said because I practice with her, and she's one of these players that's really, really uncomfortable for my style of play,” Badosa said of Anisimova. “I don't really like this kind of player. She's real aggressive. She doesn't give you a lot of rhythm.

“She finds the winner very easily. Very flat ball. I think she's one of the opponents that she will always be tough to beat for me, but she's playing unbelievable. She was going for it. Yeah, congrats to her.”



On her second match point, Anisimova darted her trademark two-hander down the line closing with a bang.

It’s precisely the kind of power tennis Anisimova will need to bring against the defending champion—and aiming to enjoy this experience.

“She's an amazing competitor. She's had a great year,” Anisimova said of Sabalenka. “I know she's going to be coming in hot, playing well. So I'm expecting a really good match.

“Yeah, we're both very big hitters, so it always ends up being an enjoyable match to watch and also for us to play I think. I'm just really looking forward to it. I think it will be a good experience.”