Amanda Anisimova continues to break new ground at Melbourne Park, the youngest woman left in the draw dismantling No.11 seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-2 to soar into the Australian Open fourth round.
The teenager had not won a Grand Slam main draw match before this week, but locked in a last-16 contest with either eighth seed Petra Kvitova or the resurgent Belinda Bencic.
Sabalenka had been touted by many as a dark horse for the title next Sunday, but was outgunned by the free-swinging world No.87, who becomes the first men’s or women’s player born in the 2000s to reach a major fourth round.
“This is an unreal feeling, I can’t believe this is happening right now.” Anisimova said.
“Probably one of the best matches of my life ... I played really well today.
“She's a really tough opponent, so I was just really preparing myself for a really tough match. I was putting it all out there. I was staying relaxed, I just made sure I had fun, so I was playing really well.”
It’s only a year and a half since Anisimova was crowned Junior US Open champion, and she is adamant a change in belief has prompted her electric start at Melbourne Park.
“Everything (has changed), like my game and my mentality,” said the Miami resident, reflecting on her rise from the junior ranks. “I believe in myself so much more than I ever did in this tournament. It's just trusting myself. That's why I have been also playing really well.”
Rocket returns catapulted towards the baseline as the 17-year-old American struck an immediate break.
At 2-0, a forehand return cross-court winner drew gasps from the Margaret Court Arena crowd. It was proof Anisimova was far from intimidated by competing against the very best.
Next up, a deft drop shot capped a hold to love for 5-3 to the American, who clinched seven straight points to provide the platform to break for an emphatic opening set.
In symmetry to the first set, Anisimova launched 2-0 in front courtesy of a blistering return winner, this time off the backhand wing.
Sabalenka, who enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2018, also began her season with a title in Shenzhen to further bolster her profile, but it took until this stage of the match to chalk up a break point.
A costly netted forehand saw the chance vanish, with Anisimova cruising towards a landmark victory at 3-0 at the changeover.
It seemed everything pinging off the teenager’s racquet was destined to find the mark. On the run, the American made a last-ditch effort to cut a forehand slice back into play. It looped over Sabalenka and brushed the baseline, allowing the 17-year-old a satisfied grin.
The artillery of the teenager was superior, and Anisimova boosted her winners’ total to 21 to sign off a standout triumph.
Anisimova has warmed to Melbourne and feels there is more to come his fortnight.
“I want to win this tournament right now,” said the ambitious teenager with a smirk. “Honestly, I loved playing out there today. I think I have never had that much fun in a match before, and the crowd was just amazing, supporting me all the time.
“I had a lot of confidence going into the tournament, like anything is possible, but I was taking it one match at a time, first-round win would be amazing and I just kept winning. Hopefully I can win my next round, but this is a great accomplishment already.”
Anisimova is the youngest American to reach a Grand Slam fourth round since Serena Williams at Roland Garros in 1998, and the youngest in Melbourne since Jennifer Capriati back in 1993.
The 17-year-old could also match her idol Maria Sharapova, who was the last teenager to lift a women’s singles Grand Slam back at the 2006 US Open.
“Maria is someone I still look up to. She’s an amazing athlete and a great person too,” revealed the world No.87.
“I’d love to follow her and win a Slam as a teenager too.”