17-year-old #AmandaAnisimova looks to continue making history at the 2019 #FrenchOpen after stunning world number three and defending champion Simona Halep in the quarterfinals, as she takes on eighth seed #AshleighBarty, who is the highest-ranked player left in the tournament, in an intriguing semifinal clash.
Anisimova: A force not to be reckoned with
Anisimova was just a 16-year-old newcomer when she stunned top-10 player Petra Kvitova to reach the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open last year and was just 17-years-old when she became the first player born in the 2000s to reach the second week of the Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open.
One of the biggest young talents in the game currently, Anisimova lifted her maiden WTA title on the clay courts in Bogota this year as she took advantage of a mediocre draw to rise into the world’s top-60 for the first time in her career. The American did not have to face any player ranked higher than 138 throughout the tournament but it was still an impressive week for the youngster who finally broke the duck and grabbed her first tour title.
Amidst early exits in Madrid and Rome just before entering Paris, Anisimova was not tipped to produce a deep run here in Paris but exceeded expectations once more.
The American soared past all her matches in straight sets, and her considering that her list of opponents includes 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka and the defending champion Simona Halep, it can be considered very impressive. She survived a tight contest with Irina-Camelia Begu in the third round and then stunned the world number three Halep with a world-class display, particularly on her backhand wing.
Into the first Grand Slam semifinal of her young career, Anisimova is projected to rise into the top-30 in the rankings and could rise into the top-20 with a win against Barty.
Barty: Flying under the radar
Barty has been one of the best players in 2019, breaking into the top-10 for the first time in her career and amassing an out-of-the-world 29-5 win-loss record to win the biggest title of her career in Miami and reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne and Madrid. Defeating five top-10 players in this year alone, it can be said that the Australian has truly proven her credentials.
The Australian stormed into the second week without losing a set, ousting former semifinalist Andrea Petkovic in the process. Facing her toughest challenge of the week, Barty had to battle past an inspired Sofia Kenin and extended her dominance over the American with a terrific three-set win on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Going up against last year’s semifinalist Madison Keys, one break was enough to separate both players in each set as Barty triumphed 6-3, 7-5 after just an hour and nine minutes of action as she out-rallied the big-hitter to secure a place in her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal.
Barty is ensured a top-five debut in the new rankings on next Monday, but she would leave Paris as the world number two if she were to lift the title. Being the highest-ranked player left in the draw, can Barty take advantage of her status to grab her maiden Major?
Match Analysis: Which youngster will reach their maiden Grand Slam final?
In the biggest match of their careers so far, Anisimova and Barty will meet for the first time. The aggressive American will meet her biggest challenge as the Australian has the ability to trouble any opponents with her lethal backhand slice on the tricky clay courts.
Anisimova’s backhand is her biggest weapon but Barty’s backhand slice could be the toughest shot to play against currently. The youngster would have to stay patient and construct her points well, particularly when going up against the backhand wing of her opponent.
Nerves will be evident for both players, but it would be a larger issue for the 17-year-old who has not been on the big stages for long while Barty definitely has more experience available in her garage.
Barty looks unbeatable in Paris this fortnight and seems too difficult of an opponent for Anisimova as she is the favourite to barge into her maiden Grand Slam final on her least preferred surface.
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