Amanda Anisimova confirmed that she will be making a donation to the efforts to stop the wildfires in Australia. On her official Instagram account, Anisimova confessed that she cannot take her mind off what is happening in the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. She pledged that she will be donating $150 for every ace she will be able to serve during the ASB Classic.
She also urged her followers to donate to Australian organizations, tagging WIRES Wildlife Rescue, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, and Red Cross Australia in the post.
Anisimova joins a growing chorus of tennis players urging immediate action on the wildfires. Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal have already previously spoken up about it.
Amanda Anisimova on upcoming match with Serena Williams
Amanda Anisimova will fulfill one of her childhood dreams tomorrow as she is set to battle with idol Serena Williams. After defeating a resurgent Eugenie Bouchard 2-6 6-3 4-6, the young American will be facing off Williams in the ASB Classic semifinals. Bouchard certainly did not make it easy for the Anisimova, who battered the world no. 25 in the middle of the game.
The 18-year old Anisimova has not made her admiration for the 23-time Grand Slam winner a secret. She recounted how she lost to Estonian player Anett Kontaveit in the Miami Open last year. She said that Williams approached her to comfort and chat with her. According to her, it was a moment she will remember forever.
Baseline names Anisimova among top young talent to watch out for
Tennis magazine Baseline included Amanda Anisimova in a list of young talents that fans should look out for in the 2020 season. In the article, writer Cody Fitzpatrick said that 2019 was Anisimova’s breakthrough year in a way. She experienced a lot of firsts in her professional career last year, including her first WTA title in Copa Colsanitas.
She also exhibited an impressive performance in the Australian Open and French Open. She made the fourth round at Melbourne Park, bowing down to eventual finalist Petra Kvitova. Meanwhile, she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros but failed to advance after eventual champ Ashleigh Barty beat her.
However, she had to slow down in the second half of the year. This was because of the untimely death of her father and coach, Konstantin. Because of this, she had to miss a lot of important tournaments like the WTA Elite Trophy and the U.S. Open.
Even with the heartbreaking loss, Anisimova displayed impressive growth throughout 2019. She started the year at no. 96. By the end of the season, she was world no. 24. Other players on the list include Australian Alex De Minaur, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, and American Coco Gauff.
Amanda Anisimova’s ranking and performance in 2020
Currently ranked no.25, Amanda played her last match on the 11th of January when she lost to Serena Williams 6-1 6-1 in the semifinal in Auckland.
Amanda Anisimova’s most significant result of the current season was getting to the semi-finals in Auckland.
Serena Williams in Auckland, ranking, and results in 2020
Currently the world no.10, Serena Williams has a 4-0 win-loss record in 2020. The American is in Auckland where she ousted Camila Giorgi 6-3 6-2, Christina Mchale 3-6 6-2 6-3, Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-3 and Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-1.
Serena Williams will fight against Pegula in the final. They have never played each so far on the main tour.
The American won 72 titles in her career: 42 on hard courts, 13 on clay courts, 7 on indoor courts, 2 on carpet courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Amanda Anisimova and Serena Williams played each other 1 time. The head to head is 1-0 for Williams.
The last time that they fought against each other, Serena Williams won 6-1 6-1 in the semifinal in Auckland (ASB Classic) on the 11th of January 2020.
You can watch he highlights in the following video.