Anisimova back from dead to clinch title
AMERICAN Amanda Anisimova gave herself a confidence boost for the Australian Open by battling past Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich to clinch the Melbourne Summer Set title on Sunday.
The unseeded world No.78 overcame a mid-match slump and treatment to her left leg to win 7-5 1-6 6-4 for only her second-ever WTA Tour crown.
Her previous one came at Bogota in 2019 as a 17-year-old, the youngest American to clinch a title since Serena Williams at Indian Wells in 1999.
“I’m in a such a good headspace now after an incredibly tough year,” said Anisimova, who missed the Australian swing last year after testing positive for Covid. “It’s so good to start off the year in a good place and winning a title, I honestly couldn’t ask for any more.”
A win appeared unlikely for the 2019 French Open semi-finalist when she lost the second set and went 3-0 down in the third, but she battled back to deny qualifier Sasnovich her first title.
Sasnovich played a beautiful lob to earn her first break point and was rewarded on her second when Anisimova douTHERE ble-faulted to give her a 3-2 lead in the opening set.
She held serve for 4-2 but Anisimova’s powerful groundstrokes were effective and the American broke back for 4-4.
It went with serve until Anisimova struck again to take the set. But she then lost focus and slumped 4-0 down in the second set, having treatment on a left upper leg issue that appeared to hamper her movement.
She looked out for the count when she lost the set then went 3-0 behind in the decider.
But against the odds, Anisimova fought back to hold then break and haul herself back into contention.