Amanda Anisimova’s US Open campaign ended in another Grand Slam final heartbreak, after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
The American, who was handed a 6-0, 6-0 defeat by Iga Swiatek in the championship match at Wimbledon, suffered another near miss at Flushing Meadows against the world number one.
Sabalenka overcame Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to become the first since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the women’s singles title in New York.
Though the home hope had enjoyed another impressive campaign with victories over Swiatek and Naomi Osaka, 16-time Grand Slam champion Todd Woodbridge says her weaknesses were on full display in the final.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesTodd Woodbridge analyses Amanda Anisimova’s US Open final performance
In an episode of ‘The Tennis Mini’, Woodbridge said: “There were swings and roundabouts and lots of momentum. I thought Amanda, bouncing back the way she did from what happened at Wimbledon, was unbelievable.
“I think she can win a major moving forward. We always say that to the runner-up but she is a legit contender. I actually thought she was going to win the tournament.
“I picked her even going into the final to win. You could see the resilience was there, there is a maturity that she brings to her tennis from life experiences and what happened when she was younger.
“Bursting onto the scene, losing her Dad, understanding mentally that she needed to get away from the game. She found out that she loved it and still came back and has cemented herself.
“She is such a good technical player but maybe in the final there were some weaknesses that showed up.
“A little lack of spin on the forehand and the second serve probably needs a bit more work with some shape, that is one of the things which Sabalenka has really honed in on over the last couple of years.
“But Anisimova for me I thought was brilliant and in that match it could have got away from her. That start was awful and you can imagine thinking that is 13 games straight in Slam finals [I have lost] and all things like that.
“I thought she settled in well, which is another reason why Sabalenka taking that opening set with the momentum changes was a really good effort from her.”
Todd Woodbridge says Amanda Anisimova is ‘very dangerous’
Though she was not able to beat Sabalenka in a best-of-three bout, Anisimova‘s game is well-equipped to win a major one day.
Woodbridge said of her backhand: “It’s so good. Just that ability to load it up to any corners that is available.
“Some people have a trending shot. Hers is equally as good when she redirects it to what is the safer one as well.
“And the forehand too! Just the way that she can hit people off the court. She is very dangerous.”
Anisimova, still just 23 years of age, enjoyed her most successful Grand Slam season this year and is knocking on the door of a maiden crown.