Slam specialist operating in Melbourne: Unstoppable Anisimova dismantles Wang to complete major quarterfinal set
Amanda Anisimova defeated Xinyu Wang 7-6 (4), 6-4 on Monday night to reach her first Australian Open quarterfinal. The No 4 seed’s victory marks her 16th win in her last 18 Grand Slam matches.
Amanda Anisimova, Australian Open 2026 | © PsNewz
Amanda Anisimova defeated Xinyu Wang 7-6 (4), 6-4 to continue her evolution from a high-potential prospect into the tour’s most reliable Grand Slam performer. In a high-stakes fourth-round encounter, the 24-year-old American utilized the same steely mentality that carried her to back-to-back Major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in late 2025.
With this victory, Anisimova has now reached the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams this decade – a feat of consistency matched only by world No 1 Iga Swiatek.
The Mental Shift Powering a Grand Slam Juggernaut
Anisimova entered Monday’s match with a daunting statistical profile: 16 wins from her last 18 Slam appearances. That reliability was tested early by the world No 46, Xinyu Wang, who had already stunned No 13 seed Linda Noskova and Jelena Ostapenko earlier in the fortnight.
However, the American No 4 seed, who is “on a mission,” refused to drop a set for the fourth consecutive match. Her ability to navigate a tense opening-set tiebreak was a testament to the growth she has shown since her resurgent 2025 season, which saw her claim WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing.
The transition from “prodigy” to “specialist” has been defined by Anisimova’s newfound poise in the big moments. Having previously swept through Peyton Stearns (6-1, 6-4), Katerina Siniakova (6-1, 6-4), and Simona Waltert (6-3, 6-2), her level has been “A++” throughout the first week. By reaching her third consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, the Floridian is manifesting the goals she set after her narrow misses in New York and London last year.
A Quarterfinal Clash of American Heavyweights
The victory sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal against No 6 seed Jessica Pegula, who earlier dethroned defending champion Madison Keys. The two Americans are currently the most in-form players in the draw, both having navigated the first four rounds without dropping a set. For Anisimova, the match represents a chance to flip the script on a rivalry that saw Pegula edge her in a three-set thriller in the 2024 Toronto final.
While Wang’s impressive run – which included a marathon win over Ostapenko – comes to an end, Anisimova’s quest for a maiden Major title is gaining undeniable momentum. “Completion” was the word of the night as she rounded out her set of Major quarterfinals, but for the 24-year-old world No 4, the real mission has only just begun.
