Tennis-Potapova sends home hope Anisimova packing in third round


Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 5, 2026 Austria's Anastasia Potapova celebrates winning her third round match against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Geoff Burke

NEW YORK, ⁠Sept 5 (Reuters) - American 10th seed Amanda Anisimova went out of ⁠theU.S. Open in the third round on Saturday, losing ‌6-2 7-5 to Austrian Anastasia Potapova as she failed to recapture the magic of her run to the final a year ago.

Potapova defended 13 of the 16 ​break points she faced to reach the ⁠fourth round in New ⁠York for the first time, where she will play either RussianMirra Andreeva ⁠or ‌Czech Nikola Bartunkova.

"I think I'm the happiest person out here - maybe my coach is a little bit happier," ⁠said Potapova.

"To play here gives me so many goosebumps ​when I come ‌out on this court in front of this crowd."

Anisimova, a ⁠runner-up at ​Wimbledon last year as well, has been unable to reach a tournament final in 2026 and had a long chat with her coaches after ⁠the opening set, where Potapova broke her ​to love in the third game and converted on another break point chance in the seventh.

The pair traded breaks three times in a ⁠competitive second set, when the crowd at Louis Armstrong urged on the American at every turn.

ButAnisimova, who had 46 unforced errors across the match, gave her opponent a leg-up when she sent ​a shot just past the baseline on break ⁠point in the penultimate game.

Potapova absorbed Anisimova's power from the baseline ​in a fine final rally, clasping her ‌hands to her mouth after the ​American sent the ball out again on match point.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; editing by Clare Fallon)

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