Australian Open 2026: Amanda Anisimova advances to last eight for first time in Melbourne

Amanda Anisimova is into the quarter-final of the Australian Open for the first time, beating Wang Xinyu at the John Cain Arena on Monday (26 January).

The 24-year-old got the better of the unseeded People’s Republic of China player in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-4.

Very little separated these two in the opening set, each holding serve throughout. Fourth seed Anisimova won 81 per cent of first serves along with 78 per cent of her second.

Wang responded with her own blistering efforts, landing two aces and taking advantage of her opponent’s 16 unforced errors - before Anisimova won the set with power and accuracy.

It would be the North American who struck first in set two, breaking Wang although the Chinese battled through several deuces. Anisimova’s backhand was the difference.

Wang clinched the next game to level things up. Anisimova broke back to re-establish her lead before pulling ahead 3-1.

Despite a valiant effort from Wang, Anisimova proved too much. She landed six aces, four return winners to Wang’s zero, and capitalised on 17 unforced errors from her opponent in the second set.

“I’m feeling great, what a battle out there today. Tough conditions against a really good opponent, she’s playing some great tennis, and it was a great atmosphere out there today,” she said in her on-court interview.

Anisimova will face compatriot Jessica Pegula in the last eight, adding: “It sucks that one [of us] has to go out in the quarter-final but I’m really looking forward to it.

“Jess is such a great player and I’m sure it’s going to be a battle.”

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