Anisimova Sets Up RG Showdown vs. No. 1 Sabalenka

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, May 30, 2025
Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty

Amateur artist Amanda Anisimova is painting an inspiring clay comeback in Paris.

Anisimova defused Clara Tauson 7-6(4), 6-4 to charge into the Roland Garros fourth round for the first time since 2022.

Ranked a career-high No. 16, Anisimova more than doubled the dangerous Tauson’s winner total—38 to 16—and broke serve three times.

Contesting her seventh Roland Garros, Anisimova set up a blockbuster rematch against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Earlier, Sabalenka tamed tricky lefty Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 powering into the Roland Garros fourth round for the third straight year.

Three-time major champion Sabalenka has surrendered just 10 games in three tournament wins as she looks driven to collect her maiden Roland Garros title.

The 23-year-old Anisimova is 5-2 lifetime vs. Sabalenka, winning three of their four clay-court clashes.

The fourth-round match is a rematch of the 2019 Roland Garros that saw Anisimova sweep Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2. A then 17-year-old Anisimova electrified Paris that summer reaching the semifinals and taking a set from eventual-champion Ash Barty before bowing in three sets.

Controlling the center of the court—and playing proactive down the line drive will be two keys when Anisimova and Sabalenka square off for a quarterfinal spot.

“We’re both some pretty big hitters, so I’m sure we’re going to be going at it back and forth a bit,” Anisimova said. “Yeah, [she’s] obviously one of the best right now.

“She’s No. 1. I feel like it’s always a good matchup. I really enjoy the fight and the challenge that she brings on. I’m just looking forward to it. Hopefully I can bring my A game. Hopefully it will be a good match.”

Twelve Americans—seven women and five men—advanced to the Roland Garros third round. It’s only the second time since 1991 (14) that 12 or more Americans have reached the third round at the French Open.

Anisimova, who defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, to win the WTA 1000 title in Doha earlier this year, is enjoying her best season after suffering burn-out that compelled her to step away from the sport and pursue her love of art.

Tennis had become “unbearable” for her after experiencing burn-out since the summer of 2022, said Anisimova.

“I wasn’t really feeling great in October of 2022 I think,” Anisimova said. “So it was quite a while. It took a long time for me to make that decision. Obviously it’s a big decision to step away from the game I think at any point.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of the season or the preseason because we really never get time off.”

These days, Anisimova seems to be enjoying herself more on court and has managed her schedule to give herself more mental breaks.

You can trace Anisimova’s current joy ride back to last August.

Crunching shots with conviction, Anisimova surprised second-seeded Sabalenka 6-4, 6-2 to advance to her maiden WTA 1000 semifinal in Toronto—her first Tour-level semifinal since 2022 Charleston. World No. 139 Anisimova became the lowest-ranked woman to reach the Canadian Open semifinals since then No. 937 Sloane Stephens in 2017 and has continued to soar since.

Expect the balls to be bruised when supreme shotmakers and explosive power players face off.

Interestingly, Anisimova has scored all three of her straight sets wins this week on the cozy confines of Court 14 where she’s enjoyed strong support.

Facing world No. 1 Sabalenka, likely on Court Philippe Chatrier, gives Anisimova a chance to showcase her game on the biggest red clay stage in the sport.

“It’s always special to play someone who’s ranked No. 1 in the world. It’s not often you get to do that, so I really try and embrace the opportunity and the experience,” Anisimova said. “It will be on a big court, too. I love playing on big stadiums.

“I’m just going to try and go in there and really enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy the crowd. And, yeah, try to put up a fight.

“I’d say it’s always a little bit more different and special when you play against the top players.”