‘Super excited’ Amanda Anisimova reacts after easily beating Katie Boulter in China and sends message to fans

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Amanda Anisimova picked up a dominant win in her first match since the US Open.

20 days on from Anisimova’s defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final, she returned to WTA Tour action in Beijing.

Receiving a bye into round two, she met Great Britain’s Katie Boulter, who outlasted Hailey Baptiste in her opener.

Dropping just four games, Anisimova defeated Boulter 6-1, 6-3, to book her place in the China Open third round.

During her post-match interview, Anisimova sent a message to her fans in the Chinese capital.

Amanda Anisimova hopes her many Chinese fans return to support her in the third round

Anisimova was thankful for the support she received on Beijing’s ‘Lotus Court’.

“I have a lot of fans here, which is really nice,” she said.

“You guys were great today, so I hope you can all come out for my next one.”

Pleased with her performance against Boulter, Anisimova shared just how much she enjoys playing in China.

“I’m super excited to be back in Beijing, I love playing here and I really like the city, so it’s good to be back and good to be through my first round,” she said.

“I’m hoping that I can do well, keep fighting, and keep competing, and hopefully can get far in these tournaments.”

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, former doubles star Colin Fleming was impressed with Anisimova’s performance as he highlighted the shot that worked well for her against the Brit.

“Fitting for [Amanda] Anisimova to finish it with a winner, especially a backhand winner, this is one of the great shots in the women’s game in 2025,” he said.

“That’s the one that did it, 23rd winner of the day, it wasn’t a perfect performance from Anisimova, first match since the US Open final, you have to say very impressive, and it looks like she is here in Beijing, meaning business.”

The American may have enjoyed the crowd support in round two, but she likely won’t be the fan favorite when she returns, with Chinese star Zhang Shuai next up.

Anisimova and Shuai have played once previously, in Hiroshima seven years ago, where the former picked up a 7-6, 7-5 win.

It remains to be seen if she can extend her winning record over Shuai when they face off for a place in the last 16 this weekend.

Amanda Anisimova has chance to join Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva on exclusive list in China

With eight of the ten WTA 1000 events of the year played, just two players have won multiple titles.

Having already won the Qatar Open earlier this year, a title in Beijing would see Anisimova become the third player to win multiple WTA 1000s in 2025.

She will likely have to beat some of the best players in the women’s game if she wants to join Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva on two titles, however.

Amanda Anisimova’s route to the China Open title (By Ranking)

• 2025 China Open 1R [BYE]
• 2025 China Open 2R [WIN] vs Katie Boulter
• 2025 China Open 3R vs Zhang Shuai
• 2025 China Open 4R vs Karolina Muchova
• 2025 China Open QF vs Jasmine Paolini
• 2025 China Open SF vs Coco Gauff
• 2025 China Open F vs Iga Swiatek

If she were to make it all the way to the final, Anisimova could face off against Poland’s Iga Swiatek for the third time this year.

It was against Swiatek that Anisimova suffered the worst defeat of her tennis career, when she lost 6-0, 6-0 in the 2025 Wimbledon final.

Bouncing back, Anisimova got her revenge over Swiatek at the US Open, taking down the world number two in straight sets to book her place in the last four.

There’s no doubt both Anisimova and Swiatek would love to complete the trilogy in Beijing, although neither player will want to get too far ahead of themselves.

Anisimova will now focus on her third-round match against Shuai, while Swiatek prepares to begin her campaign against another home favorite, Yue Yuan, on Saturday, September 27.