Amanda Anisimova Is Playing Savvy Tennis
It was their first meeting and one neither will forget. We have heard and known about the American, Amanda Anisimova, for years. It’s hard to believe she is still only just twenty. [13] Naomi Osaka won the first set; however, the American was not discouraged.
Keeping her focus, Anisimova came charging back in the second to even the match. It is not a surprise that the final set went the distance. Anisimova defeated the defending champion 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5). In 2019, Anisimova made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open, so this is not new territory for her. Can Amanda Anisimova keep this form and do some more damage in the draw? I hope so.
Embed from Getty ImagesJessica Pegula Battled Hard In The First Set
Playing an opponent for the first time can be tricky. It can be a recipe for disaster if you are not mindful of the shots you make and the attitude you take. Nuria Parrizas Diaz gave the American fits in the first set. This was not an easy victory for [21] Jessica Pegula. Yet, she gained value from coming through such a stern mental and emotional challenge. Winning the first set as often is the case was key to the 7-6(3), 6-2 victory.
Embed from Getty ImagesVictoria Azarenka Came to Play
[15] Elina Svitolina came to play as well, but she forgot her forehand in the hotel room. Interestingly, she is not the only player forgetting tools of their arsenal. It is another reminder how mental living is. As in life, the mental component of playing tennis is intimately linked to the emotional as well as physical. As the forehand errors mounted, the emotions erupted. Frustration was evident in Svitolina and soon enough, she was barely getting to the balls.
There was tension on the other side as well; however, normal tension when you are trying to close out a match. [24] Victoria Azarenka won 6-0, 6-2. Next up for the Belarusian will be [4] Barbora Krejcikova. Azarenka has to be on the alert because the Czech is a deceptively talented player.
Embed from Getty ImagesSeeds Are Expected To Fall At This Stage
[16] Cristin Garin lost in straight sets to the resurgent [17] Gael Monfils. Monfils has rediscovered his passion for the game, as a result he is playing consistently well. American [23] Reilly Opelka could not get pass [14] Denis Shapovalov. Opelka lost 6-7(4), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 to the Canadian. [25] Lorenzo Sonego could not get by the determined Serb, Miomir Kecmanovic. Sonego lost in four sets. [26] Jelena Ostapenko lost to the fourth seed in three sets.
[28] Karen Khachanov lost to [6] Rafael Nadal in four sets. It started off all Nadal; however, we have gotten used to Nadal hitting speed bumps along the way. Thankfully, the Spaniard regrouped quickly to win 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. [28] Veronika Kudermetova lost 4-6, 1-6 to [5] Maria Sakkari. [30] Camila Giorgi lost 2-6, 3-6 to the number one seed, Ashleigh Barty. [31] Carlos Alvarez lost in a five-set battle to [7] Matteo Berrettini.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Other American Day 5 Results
Madison Keys won in a battle against Qiang Wang [4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2)]. American Sebastian Korda was not as fortunate. He lost in four sets to [19] Pablo Carreno Busta.
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