FO women’s quarters: Barty the fearless and Anisimova the rising star thrill
Teenage American sensation Amanda Anisimova ousted defending champion Simona Halep in two intimidating sets, 6-2, 6-4, while Ashleigh Barty took out Madison Keys in ruthless fashion, 6-3, 7-5.
There will be a new women’s champion at the French Open. Two very exciting players emerged as winners of their quarterfinal matches on Thursday: Ashleigh Barty and Amanda Anisimova. Both represent a major changing of the guard in women’s tennis and will continue to impose their will on the women’s game.
Anisimova the sprightly genius
In just her fourth grand slam tournament, Amanda Asinimova has ascended the stage of tennis as its budding star. Off the tennis courts, she looks like your average teenager, but on court she’s a fierce competitor, as displayed by the fearless tennis she defeated Simona Halep with. It takes a steely mind to save seven out of eight break points, which is what the 17-year-old did, becoming the youngest semifinalist at Roland Garros since Jennifer Capriati. Combined with 25 imposing winners and her intimidating power strokes that clipped the corners, Amisimova thrilled.
“I’m really happy with my performance,” Anisimova said after the match, “because this is one of the best matches I’ve ever played.”
Anisimova’s not only a genius on court, but off too. How does she spend her spare time? Watching YouTube vidoes on science and chemistry since her backup plan includes going to medical school to become a surgeon, according to USA Today.
Beating a former world No. 1 and becoming a surgeon? If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is.
Barty a ‘dangerous’ player to be feared
Ashleigh Barty is a fighter and displays the kind of game variety reminiscent of Martina Hingis. Barty forced 52 errors from Madison Keys. This is a player who took off two years to play professional cricket just a few years ago. Her belief has translated to unexpected success on clay, her weakest surface.
She was asked about how she’s applied her hard-court style to the orange dirt.
“I’ve been learning every single day.”
Three-time French Open champion Arantxa Sanchez Vicario hailed Barty as the most feared player in the draw, according to SBS News.
"“She’s definitely the player that nobody wants to play because she has the variety — she can play spin, slice, hard, drop shot, coming into the net or staying back. She’s a big contender. I like her spirit. She’s a big fighter, she never gives up. So I don’t think the players like playing her. Maybe [clay] is not her favourite surface but she’s learned to be patient, to prepare very well the points now. She’s a player who’s very dangerous, she’s a big contender I’m telling you. She has no pressure because maybe she’s not the favourite as some of the others.”"
Another believer? Legend Rod Laver, who also agreed, saying that his compatriot Barty “can go all the way.”
Ashleigh Barty and Amanda Anisimova will battle each other on Friday, at 5:00 am ET, viewable on the Tennis Channel and NBC. Get ready for a fight.
Johanna Konta will face the other teenager left in the draw, 19-year-old Markéta Vondroušová. The men’s semifinal will follow, including two men by the names of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. I think you’ve heard of them.