The highly anticipated clash between Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova at the Canadian Open culminated in a decisive victory for Anisimova, who delivered a commanding performance that saw her dispatch the British star in straight sets. This encounter was more than just a regular tournament match; it carried the weight of a simmering rivalry, adding an extra layer of intensity to the proceedings on the court.
Anisimova’s dominance was evident from the outset, as she clinched the match with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 scoreline. Raducanu struggled to find her rhythm, managing to hold serve only once throughout the contest, a stark indicator of Anisimova’s relentless pressure and superior play. The brevity of the match, concluding in just over an hour, further underscored the American’s control.
The roots of this rivalry trace back to the Australian Open in January, where their previous encounter was marred by controversy. During that match, with Raducanu trailing 3-0 in the opening set, she requested a medical timeout for a lower back issue. This prompted accusations of gamesmanship from Anisimova’s supporters, who suggested the timeout was strategically timed to disrupt her opponent’s momentum.
Raducanu, however, silenced those critics with a remarkable comeback, reeling off six consecutive games to win that Australian Open set, and later validating her form with a decisive 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Anisimova at the Miami Open. This victory in Miami seemed to firmly establish Raducanu’s superiority in their head-to-head record, setting the stage for Anisimova’s much-sought-after revenge in Montreal.
In Montreal, Anisimova wasted no time in asserting her authority. Despite facing a 40-15 deficit in the second game, she recovered to break Raducanu’s serve, a critical early blow. Although Raducanu managed to break back immediately, it proved to be her last opportunity to gain a foothold in the match, as Anisimova continued to dictate play and deny any further break point chances.
Following her impressive win, Amanda Anisimova advanced to the last-16, where she is set to face the formidable 10th seed Elina Svitolina. Svitolina secured her spot with an equally dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Anna Kalinskaya, promising another compelling match-up for Anisimova as she continues her campaign in the tournament.
Anisimova’s performance in this Canadian Open fixture marked a significant improvement compared to her earlier matches against Raducanu in the States. Her enhanced form was reflected in the match statistics, where she impressively struck 29 winners against 25 unforced errors. In contrast, Raducanu struggled to find her range, recording only five winners against a much higher 22 unforced errors, highlighting the disparity in their play.
This victory further solidifies Anisimova’s strong run on the WTA Tour since the commencement of the grass court season. Now ranked world No. 7, she has achieved 14 wins in her last 17 matches, a remarkable record that positions her as one of the most in-form players during this period. Her consistent ability to close out matches after winning the first set is also notable, extending her consecutive wins in such scenarios to 29, underscoring her mental fortitude and tactical prowess.
