After a rollercoaster in 2019, Amanda Anisimova is ready to get back to business. She just confirmed that she will be participating in New Zealand’s ASB Classic tournament (otherwise known as Auckland Open) in January.
It would be the young American’s second time in the Auckland tournament. She was signed on as a wildcard in the 2019 edition of the event even when she was still ranked at no. 96. She had a successful showing in the competition, reaching the quarterfinals.
Amanda Anisimova earns comparisons to Maria Sharapova
Tournament director Karl Budge has expressed his excitement over Anisimova’s entry into the competition. He has a huge belief in her talents, considering that she finished the season at no. 24 in the world rankings.
Budge even said that the world no. 24 has a similar playing style to tennis icon Maria Sharapova. He referenced the fact that they are managed by the same person and that they both train in Bradenton, Florida. He also predicted that the American has a bright future in the next decade.
This is his comment: “She is very Maria Sharapova-esque and is managed by the same manager. Amanda trains in Bradenton in Florida the same way Maria did and there are a lot of similarities there. She has a very cool demeanour and a big powerful game and another one of these players you will see at the pointy end of women’s tennis for the next decade.”
Anisimova, for her part, does not mind the comparisons. During this year’s Australian Open, she mentioned how influential Sharapova was to her growing up. Furthermore, she complimented how she plays her matches and how she is on interviews.
Stellar Auckland Open WTA lineup
The young American player’s entry into the tournament is proving to be a boost to the already competitive field of 24 players. 2019 U.S. Open winner Bianca Andreescu and 23-time Grand Slam champ Serena Williams are the top seeds of the 2020 tournament.
It can be remembered that Andreescu reached the final round of the ASB Classic last January. Williams, on the other hand, had only one previous entry to the Auckland tournament. This was in 2017, where she lost in the second round.
Three other former Grand Slam titlists will also be in the tournament. This includes 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, 2004 U.S. Open and 2009 French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova, and former world no. 1 Carolina Wozniacki.
Julia Goerges, who enters as two-time defending champion, will serve as the fifth seed. While she may be facing stiff competition from other top players, she has a good chance of delivering a three-peat in the tournament.
Apart from Anisimova, two other rising stars will be part of the field. 15-year old Coco Gauff, famous for upsetting Venus Williams in Wimbledon 2019, will surely be one of the centers of attention. Young American player Cici Bellis will also participate after spending most of 2019 off because of her elbow and wrist injuries.
Courtesy of Sport Illustrated
Amanda Anisimova’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.24, Amanda played her last match on the 30th of September when she lost to Jennifer Brady 6-74 7-62 6-3 in the 1st round in Beijing.
This year Anisimova has a 24-15 win-loss record. The American clinched 1 title in Bogota.
Maria Sharapova’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.131, Sharapova played her last match on the 26th of August when she had to bow to Serena Williams 6-1 6-1 in the 1st round in U.S. Open.
Amanda Anisimova and Maria Sharapova have never played each other.
