Anastasia Potapova and Amanda Anisimova meet in the US Open third round on Saturday, September 5 at 15:00 UTC. Anisimova is the rightful favourite, but the games spread asks her to sustain control more cleanly than she often has this summer.
Potapova survives; Anisimova surges and stalls
Potapova followed a comfortable opening win with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 escape against 127th-ranked Leolia Jeanjean. Nine double faults and 54 unforced errors were untidy, yet she kept attacking and found the decisive break when the match had become awkward.
Anisimova beat 49th-ranked Lilli Tagger 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, restoring order emphatically after another mid-match lapse. Her early backhand contact and return position are the strongest weapons here, especially against Potapova’s vulnerable second serve, but her level has not remained fixed for two full sets with much regularity.
A wide margin asks for unusual tidiness
Anisimova should control more short exchanges and may well advance, but covering six games is a separate task. Potapova can change direction early, add height when required and make Anisimova strike while moving rather than simply set her feet and proceed with business.
The favourite’s recent dropped sets against Tagger, Alexandra Eala and Nikola Bartunkova matter at this number. Potapova does not need to produce the cleaner match; one competitive set, or two reasonably tight ones, can be enough to keep her within the allowance.
Prediction: Anastasia Potapova +5.5 games, odds 1.895
