Amanda Anisimova is learning to balance her perfectionism with a rational mindset as she advances deep into the Australian Open 2026. On Monday, the American star secured her spot in the quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory (7-6(4), 6-4) over China’s Wang Xinyu.
While the match wasn’t flawless by Amanda Anisimova’s standards, it was enough to keep her Grand Slam campaign on track.
Finding the Mental Edge
Amanda Anisimova admitted that while her baseline game usually carries her, her serve was the hero in this match. “I feel like my serve was really helping me out, especially in key moments,” she noted.
Beyond the technical aspects, she credited her improved mental fortitude for the win. Despite the intense heat and harsh conditions, she focused on maintaining positive body language to stay in the zone against Wang, who had already knocked out several seeded players.
Equipment Malfunctions and Tiebreaks
The match wasn’t without its drama. A broken shoe momentarily distracted the American at a critical juncture in the first set. After a quick swap—and gifting the broken sneaker to a delighted fan—Anisimova refocused.
She dominated the ensuing tiebreak with her signature backhand. She maintained her lead in the second set, eventually closing out the match after Wang took a medical timeout for a leg injury.
The Challenge Ahead
Having broken fresh ground at Melbourne Park, Anisimova now faces fellow American Jessica Pegula. Although she has yet to defeat Pegula in their three previous meetings, Amanda Anisimova remains optimistic.
“I feel like I always have a chance against anyone,” she said. “The fact that I’ve never beaten her before is an extra challenge for me.”
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
