World No.1 Ash Barty has passed her greatest test yet at this year’s Australian Open, seeing off Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals.
The local hope’s run of 63 service holds in a row was ended in the second set but without any lasting consequences, breaking back immediately before closing out a 6-4 6-4 win.
Anisimova had stamped herself as a threat when she knocked out two-time champion Naomi Osaka on Friday for her ninth straight win of the summer.
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But the 20-year-old, who is working with Australian coaching guru Darren Cahill on a trial basis, learned a harsh lesson on Sunday night.
Barty hit 23 winners to Anisimova’s 20 across just 74 minutes of action inside Rod Laver Arena.
The 25-year-old Aussie’s all-court control, though, forced her younger opponent into 34 unforced errors.
The top seed also punished Anisimova at the net six times to show off the variety she will need to go even deeper into the grand slam.
“It was nice to be able to hold firm tonight and bring the points back into my patterns more regularly and the big ones when it mattered most,” Barty said.
“Amanda’s an incredible athlete. She’s an incredible competitor. One of the best attributes is that she’s able to turn up point after point after point.
“I enjoyed testing myself against her. She’s got an exceptional game that puts you under the pump right from the get go.
“It’s just nice to see her back playing her best tennis. She’s a champion. She’s going to be in deep stages of a lot of majors in her future, that’s for sure.”
In the pair’s only previous meeting, Barty had to pull out all the stops in an epic comeback from a set and 3-0 down in the 2019 French Open semi-finals.
Barty will now face another American in 21st seed Jessica Pegula on Tuesday for a spot in the final four at Melbourne Park.
In what could be an omen, according to Jim Courier, Barty defeated both Anisimova and Pegula on her way to Roland Garros glory two and a half years ago.
“We’ll wait and see, hey?” Barty smiled.
Barty is gunning to become the first local woman to win the Australian Open since Chris O’Neil lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in 1978.
Pegula flew under the radar through the opening three rounds before a stunning 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 win over fifth seed Maria Sakkari earlier on Sunday put her on the map.
The Aussie was an interested observer, already mapping out her path to victory.
“Jess was on fire today, she was able to really control the baseline. She was able to put Maria under the pump,” Barty said.
“I think she did a really good job of fighting out some tough games. No secrets, come out here, compete and enjoy it.”
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