Anisimova Rolls Into Australian Open Third Round
American teenager Amanda Anisimova cruised into the third-round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, ousting 23rdseed Lesia Tsurenko 6-0, 6-2.
“When I got on court, I was focused,” said Anisimova. “I was really relaxed and my game was really on today. I felt like a lot of competitiveness came out. I want to let my opponents know I’m here to stay and play a long match, so I’m going to fight for every single point.”
Anisismova is still only 17-years-old and is currently the youngest player ranked inside the Top 100. She draws a tough task in her next match as she will meet 11th seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who ousted Great Britain’s Kate Boulter 6-3, 6-4 in her second-round contest.
Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki faced no issues booking her spot in the third-round as she defeated Johanna Larsson of Sweden 6-1, 6-3. Wozniacki saved both break points she faced and hit 19 winners to move through in just over an hour.
“I thought it was a fine match,” said Wozniacki, who has now won nine straight matches in Melbourne. “I think I started off, played well in the first set. I think she stepped it up a little bit in the second set. I think I served well. Happy to be through.”
She will now meet Maria Sharapova in a star-studded early-round showdown. Sharapova defeated Rebecca Peterson 6-2, 6-1 in the final match on Wednesday.
American Sloane Stephens powered to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Hungary’s Timea Babos, setting up a matchup with 31stseeded Petra Martic.
Second-seed Angelique Kerber, eighth-seed Petra Kvitova, 19th seed Caroline Garcia and Belinda Bencic were other notable winners on Wednesday.
