Amanda Anisimova’s start to the 2026 Grand Slam season did not go as she would have hoped.
In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Anisimova was beaten by Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6.
The world number four, who reached a career-high ranking of third in January, enjoyed her best year on tour to date in 2025.
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Anisimova won her first two WTA 1000 titles at the Qatar Open and the China Open, and made the final of both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Expectations were high for the 24-year-old at Melbourne Park, where her behaviour on court was noticeably different, according to Coco Gauff‘s former coach, Brad Gilbert.
Brad Gilbert discusses Amanda Anisimova’s Australian Open run
Speaking on Tennis Channel, Gilbert said: “Do you know what I noticed at this Aussie Open? It’s the first time I noticed. Her getting really annoyed at the box.
“The pressure is because she is not under the radar, so it is a whole different experience of where she is at.
“I felt like a couple of years ago that was the same thing from Navarro. She had a great year, the expectation became can you win?
“It did not look like she was playing with that freedom,” explained Gilbert, who has also coached Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray.
Amanda Anisimova’s run at the 2026 Australian Open
Anisimova achieved her best Australian Open finish with her run at Melbourne Park, which started with a number of convincing wins.
She made quick work of her first three matches, beating Simona Waltert, Katerina Siniakova and Peyton Stearns in straight sets.
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In round four, Anisimova was tested by Wang Xinyu, with the Chinese star forcing her to a first-set tiebreak.
Anisimova emerged victorious in the shootout, however, and sealed the win 7-6, 6-4, to set up a quarterfinal showdown with Pegula.
Pegula dominated the first set in the last-eight bout, and despite Anisimova’s attempt at a comeback by taking the second set to a tiebreak, the 31-year-old came out on top.
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