Amanda Anisimova celebrated her 25th birthday with a bang, sweeping through the first round of the US Open with a straight sets win against countrywoman Ashlyn Krueger in just 86 minutes.
The clinical 6-1 6-3 result was a positive first step in her campaign as she returns to New York as a defending finalist. Last year, Anisimova overcame Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka en route to the final, where she ultimately fell to world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
In addition to her deep run at US Open 2025, the second half of that season also saw the American reach finals at Wimbledon and Queen’s Club. She also added two career singles titles to her tally last year with her success at Beijing and Doha.
While she achieved a career-high ranking of world No.3 in January 2026, Anisimova has not been able to replicate the high level of play displayed during those Wimbledon and US Open 2025 campaigns. She was further hindered by a left wrist injury after her Miami appearance in March, which forced her to withdraw from Charleston and skip the Madrid Open.
Anisimova is now battling to maintain her place within the top 10. But if she can produce another deep run at the hardcourt major tournament, a surface on which she has secured 15 of her 20 match victories in 2026, she should rest easy.
After closing their coaching chapter in March 2026, Anisimova has reunited with Hendrik Vleeshouwers in the hopes of reviving her 2025 fortunes.
“I feel like he knows me inside out, so we just went straight into it again: the training process and getting ready for the tournaments,” said Anisimova. “And I feel like once we reconnected, I was able to find my level quite quickly.
“Ever since then, I feel like I have been picking up some rhythm and my tennis has been improving. So, [I’ve] really been happy about that.”
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the tennis game stronger, too. Anisimova and Vleeshouwers’ reunification has not only elevated the 25-year-old’s level, but has also helped balance her perspective and passion on and off court.
“I feel like there were a lot of things that I did wrong towards the end of our partnership there earlier in the year, and maybe at times I was a bit too hot-headed,” she admitted.
“I was able to really reflect and also work on myself. Not necessarily only towards him. I think it was just my whole demeanour going into the year with tennis and results … I feel like we have a very fresh perspective, and it feels really good. I could say I feel a bit more mature.”
Her opening-round victory has set up a second-round battle with rising threat Lilli Tagger, the youngest player in the top 50 at just 18 years old.
The teenager came through her first-round match against Tamara Korpatsch 6-0 7-6(4) to reach the second round at a major for the first time.
Former Austrian tennis pro Barbara Schett discussed Tagger on a recent episode of The Sit-Down, highlighting her young countrywomen’s signature stroke – her one-handed backhand – and her career prospects.
“I am very convinced about her backhand,” said Schett. “I love how grown up [she] is, how mature she is, even from a couple of years ago. She's very reflective on her game and what she does on the court, so she thinks about things herself, not just the coach.
“I believe that she will be top 10, and I think that she can win a Grand Slam for sure.”
The second-round clash between Anisimova and Tagger will be one to watch.
But for now, Anisimova can enjoy her first-round win, a birthday gift of sorts.
“Maybe that took a little bit of the stress off,” Anisimova mused. “Maybe this is a good thing that these two align on the same day, the first round and my birthday.
“I think everyone is always nervous for the Grand Slam first round because you're trying to find your tennis and maybe find your rhythm – because first rounds don't always necessarily have the highest quality. Some people try to find their game and then they find it more in the later stages of the tournament, but I think it's very individual to the player.
“I felt great out there today. I thought I played well. So, I'm happy about that.”