Amanda Anisimova’s backhand blitz burns through the Melbourne heat to secure second week spot
No 4 seed Amanda Anisimova continued her clinical march through the Australian Open draw on Saturday, overpowering fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-4 to reach the round of 16.
AMANDA ANISIMOVA, Australia 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
The 24-year-old Amanda Anisimova has become the ultimate “sun-trap” for her opponents in Melbourne. On a day where temperatures soared toward the high 30s, the world No 4 made sure her time on Margaret Court Arena was brief and brutal.
By dismissing the 24-year-old world No 67 Peyton Stearns in just 71 minutes (6-1, 6-4), Anisimova secured her fourth career appearance in the Australian Open second week and extended a remarkable run of form that has seen her win 15 of her last 17 Grand Slam matches. The victory was a display of pure, unadulterated power, specifically from the backhand wing that has become the most feared weapon in the women’s draw this fortnight.
The pulverizing backhand that stops for nobody
The opening set was a one-sided masterclass. Anisimova “steamrollered” through the first six games, utilizing her superior court positioning to take the ball early and redirect Stearns’ pace with ease.
While Stearns had reached this stage following impressive wins over Sofia Kenin and Petra Marcinko, she found herself completely overwhelmed by the velocity coming off Anisimova’s racket. The No 4 seed, who previously dispatched Katerina Siniakova and Simona Waltert in straight sets, looked to be on track for a similarly lopsided second set when she raced to a 5-1 lead.
However, the “Amanda train” hit a brief patch of turbulence as Stearns mounted a late, gritty comeback. Anisimova wobbled on her serve, racking up seven double faults as Stearns won three consecutive games to narrow the gap to 5-4.
Despite the brief wobble, Anisimova regained her composure to serve out the match on her second attempt. When asked about the stroke that defines her game, Anisimova was candid about her confidence. “It’s always been my best shot. I love using it. I love going line but I also like to go cross as well. I think it’s hard to predict where I’m gonna hit it. That’s why I think it makes it so special,” she explained.
A hydration message and a Czech challenge ahead
The physical toll of the Melbourne heatwave was evident throughout the afternoon. Anisimova conducted her post-match interview wrapped in an ice towel and made a point to remind the fans of the dangerous conditions by writing “Keep Hydrating!” on the television camera lens.
Having reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025, the American is currently playing with the focus of someone intent on going one better in 2026. Her 15-2 record in recent majors suggests she has finally found the consistency to match her immense raw power.
Anisimova now prepares for a high-stakes fourth-round encounter against the No 13 seed Linda Noskova. The Czech teenager reached the last 16 by defeating China’s Xinyu Wang, setting up a battle between two of the cleanest ball-strikers on the WTA tour.
With her perfect 3-0 start to the tournament and zero sets dropped, Anisimova enters the second week as one of the primary favorites for the title. As the tournament shifts into survival mode under the Australian sun, the No 4 seed’s ability to “pulverize” her way through the draw makes her the player no one wants to run into right now.
