Amanda Anisimova is starting to make the Australian Open feel like unfinished business. The world No.4 rolled past fellow American Peyton Stearns 6–1, 6–4 in just over 70 minutes, extending a Grand Slam run that now looks less like a streak and more like a statement.
It was her 11th win across her last 17 major matches, following back-to-back runner-up finishes at Wimbledon and the US Open. For the fourth Slam in a row, Anisimova is into the second week — and this time, Melbourne is offering a real chance to go further than ever.
A Fast Start, No Negotiations
Anisimova began on serve and immediately set the tone, erasing an early break point before striking first blood in Stearns’ opening service game. Within minutes she was 3–0 up, dictating rallies and pressing relentlessly on the Stearns forehand.
The numbers told the story early. Anisimova landed 79 percent of first serves in the opener, while Stearns hovered around 50 and couldn’t convert any of her early looks. The set raced away 6–1, shaped by patchy execution on both sides — 25 unforced errors and just eight winners combined — but controlled entirely by Anisimova’s weight of shot.
Stearns vs Anisimova – Set One Stats
| Statistic | Stearns | Anisimova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.68 | 1.47 |
| Winners | 5 | 3 |
| Unforced Errors | 11 | 14 |
| Serve Rating | 181 | 273 |
| Aces | 1 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 60% (12/20) | 59% (19/32) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 50% (6/12) | 79% (15/19) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 38% (3/8) | 38% (5/13) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (2/4) | 100% (4/4) |
| Ace % | 5% | 0% |
| Double Fault % | 5% | 9.4% |
| Return Rating | 83 | 230 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 21% (4/19) | 50% (6/12) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 62% (8/13) | 63% (5/8) |
| Break Points Won | 0% (0/4) | 50% (2/4) |
| Return Games | 0% (0/4) | 67% (2/3) |
| Pressure Points | 25% (2/8) | 75% (6/8) |
| Service Points | 45% (9/20) | 63% (20/32) |
| Return Points | 38% (12/32) | 55% (11/20) |
| Net Points | 100% (1/1) | 100% (1/1) |
| Total Points | 40% (21/52) | 60% (31/52) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 4 | 7 |
| Max Games In A Row | 1 | 3 |
| Set Duration | 0h32m | |
Pressure Maintained, Door Closed
The pattern held at the start of the second set. Anisimova broke early again, consolidated for 2–0, and leaned into her aggression as Stearns’ serve continued to creak. Stearns won only 20 percent of points behind her second serve, leaving her exposed in neutral exchanges.
A double break pushed Anisimova to 4–1 and the finish line was clearly in sight, though a brief wobble followed. Both players traded breaks, and Stearns showed some resistance by saving a match point at 2–5 to edge back to 4–5.
It only delayed the inevitable. Serving for the match for a second time, Anisimova found her range, hammered down first serves, and closed the 6–1, 6–4 win with authority.
Stearns vs Anisimova – Set Two Stats
| Statistic | Stearns | Anisimova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.77 | 1.30 |
| Winners | 1 | 11 |
| Unforced Errors | 3 | 16 |
| Serve Rating | 183 | 230 |
| Aces | 1 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 50% (13/26) | 62% (18/29) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 69% (9/13) | 72% (13/18) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 23% (3/13) | 36% (4/11) |
| Break Points Saved | 25% (1/4) | 50% (2/4) |
| Ace % | 3.8% | 13.8% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 13.8% |
| Return Rating | 182 | 243 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 28% (5/18) | 31% (4/13) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 64% (7/11) | 77% (10/13) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (2/4) | 75% (3/4) |
| Return Games | 40% (2/5) | 60% (3/5) |
| Pressure Points | 38% (3/8) | 63% (5/8) |
| Service Points | 46% (12/26) | 59% (17/29) |
| Return Points | 41% (12/29) | 54% (14/26) |
| Net Points | – | 100% (1/1) |
| Total Points | 44% (24/55) | 56% (31/55) |
| Match Points Saved | 2 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 4 | 9 |
| Max Games In A Row | 2 | 2 |
| Set 2 Duration | 0h40m | |
Familiar Ground, New Opportunity
This is Anisimova’s fourth consecutive trip to the Australian Open fourth round, having previously reached this stage in 2019, 2022, and 2024 — without yet breaking through to the quarterfinals. Sunday offers a chance to reset that record against either 13th seed Linda Noskova or China’s Xinyu Wang.
There are broader stakes, too. The victory nudges Anisimova ahead of Coco Gauff in the live rankings, placing her provisionally at world No.3 and atop the American pecking order in a tightening race near the top of the WTA ladder.
Melbourne has teased her before. This time, Anisimova is arriving with form, firepower, and momentum that feels harder to deny.
Competing in Brutal Heat
Anisimova spoke afterward about the satisfaction of simply getting through it. “I’m really excited to be back in the fourth round here,” she said. “It’s something really special. The conditions outside were really tough today, so I’m just happy to be through.”
Melbourne delivered a punishing day, with temperatures soaring beyond 40 degrees Celsius and the tournament’s Extreme Heat Policy triggered as play wore on. Matches were suspended across the grounds, while roofs were closed on the show courts in an effort to create manageable conditions.
Anisimova knew exactly what awaited her. Preparation, she explained, began well before match day. “It’s really important to stay hydrated the day before and on the day of the match,” she said. “Ice baths help too. We’re always trying to prepare as best as we can.”
Managing the limited breaks on court became an exercise in efficiency rather than comfort. “The biggest difference really comes down to water intake and using ice on court,” she noted. “We don’t get super long breaks, and today I felt pretty rushed trying to fit everything into the changeovers. It’s important to keep fueling, stay calm, and not waste energy on emotions or anything like that.”
Ice baths, she admitted, are non-negotiable. “Yeah, I do a lot of ice baths. I feel like they’re really good for me,” Anisimova said. “I do them before and after my matches, and I did one yesterday after practice as well.”
Others were visibly less comfortable. Anisimova, though, remained in her own lane. “No, I was really focused on my recovery, changing, and getting here,” she said. “I didn’t have a chance to look at the scoreboard.”
Finishing Before the Heat Finished Her
There was added incentive to keep things short. Letting the match drift deeper into the afternoon would have meant a heavier physical toll, but Anisimova largely avoided that trap.
“Before the match, I really set the intention not to waste energy on frustration, negativity, or unnecessary thoughts — like thinking about closing the match or not finishing quickly enough,” she explained. “When it’s really hot, those thoughts just drag you down and take energy away. I tried to stay focused, execute what I wanted to do, and really concentrate on my serve.”
In conditions that punished hesitation, clarity proved decisive. Anisimova had it. Melbourne’s heat did not.