NEW YORK — Amanda Anisimova's aspirations for a successful Grand Slam summer in 2026 came to an abrupt end on Saturday as she fell to Anastasia Potapova in the third round of the U.S. Open. This year's tournament saw Anisimova, who reached the final last year, unable to replicate her previous success, highlighting the challenges she faced throughout the season.
Potapova, a Russian player now representing Austria, has been making headlines for her ability to upset top American players in major tournaments. Earlier this year, she eliminated Coco Gauff in the third round of the French Open. In their match on Louis Armstrong Stadium, Potapova displayed consistency and composure, securing a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Anisimova.
In a post-match interview, Potapova expressed her joy, stating, “I think I’m the happiest person out here.” Despite facing a brief setback when she was broken while serving for the match in the second set, Potapova regained her focus and closed out the match effectively.
Anisimova's performance this season has been a stark contrast to her remarkable run in 2025, where she reached the Wimbledon final and climbed to No. 4 in the world rankings. While she made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year, her inability to advance past the third round in the subsequent Grand Slams has been disappointing. This recent exit means she has not progressed to the second week of the last three major tournaments.
In an effort to improve her performance, Anisimova made significant changes to her coaching team earlier this year. After parting ways with Hendrik Vleeshouwers, who played a pivotal role in her rise, she initially sought guidance from German coach Sebastian Sachs. However, she later decided to reunite with Vleeshouwers for the North American hard court season, hoping to regain her competitive edge.
Despite signs of improvement in her game, Anisimova struggled against Potapova's relentless style. The first set was dominated by Potapova, while the second set saw Anisimova attempt to rally back with aggressive play and powerful backhands. Unfortunately, her efforts were hampered by inconsistency, particularly on her forehand, where she recorded 18 unforced errors. Additionally, she only won half of her points on her first serve, which further compounded her difficulties.
As the match concluded with Anisimova hitting a final shot long, her Grand Slam summer came to a close. Potapova now advances to the fourth round, where she will face either French Open champion Mirra Andreeva or the promising Czech player Nikola Bartůňková. Anisimova's exit from the U.S. Open serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in women's tennis and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
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