16-year-old American, Amanda Anisimova, is making a name for herself at the Indian Masters. After recording five victories at the Indian Wells 125k last week, she has produced a landmark victory in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters.
Having received a wildcard to the event, Anisimova faced France’s Pauline Parmentier in the first round. The match lasted barely an hour though, with Anisimova defeating the veteran 6-2, 6-2 with a sublime performance.
As well as being her first victory at this level of professional tennis, it also sets up an intriguing second-round tie with Russian 23rd seed, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
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Amanda Anisimova wins 2017 US Open girls title
Amanda Anisimova is no stranger to the spotlight. An eye-catching junior career ended with the American seeling last year’s US Open girls title. Anisimova competed in an all-American final against Coco Gauff in-front of a delighted home crowd. The Grand Slam win marked her name out as one to watch for the 2018 season.
Anisimova had already been laying the foundations on the professional circuit before her junior Grand Slam title though. In 2017, the youngster strolled through to four ITF finals, eventually winning her first in July on the courts of Sacramento courtesy of a walkover against Alja Tomljanovic. A year previously she also had her first taste of Grand Slam success, finishing runner-up in the French Open girl’s event.
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In 2018 she has already taken her development to the next level, delighting crowds in the Californian sunshine. After coming through qualifying at the Indian Wells 125k, the teenager stunned Naomi Broady, Nicole Gibbs and Caroline Dolehide before eventually succumbing to Sara Errani in the semi-finals.
These results are made all the more eye-catching when you consider the contrasting styles of her opponents. Broady’s game centres around her booming serve and powerful groundstrokes. Meanwhile, Gibbs is more of an attritional baseliner. Yet Anisimova was able to deal with these players like a seasoned veteran, dropping just twelve games in total.
Amanda Anisimova demolishes Pauline Parmentier
Her experience on the Indian Wells courts has translated into the Indian Wells Masters. After receiving a wildcard after the previous week’s performance, she went into the match against Parmentier knowing she held a decent chance.
There was no sign of nerves from the youngster on her Premier Mandatory debut, and she delivered a mature performance. For someone so young, her game already appears well balanced with a notable fluidity in her groundstrokes off both flanks.
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This solidity, which forms the core of her game, stands her in good stead ahead of her second round match against Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian, who ended 2017 in blistering form, has faltered this year. Anisimova will certainly not be the favourite but there is an opportunity for a stunning upset if she can continue this form.
2018 has already seen one junior make a serious impression at a major tournament in Marta Kostyuk. Amanda Anisimova can certainly be the player to turn some heads at the Indian Wells Masters.
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