Australian Open | Amanda Anisimova shows title credentials with quick win over Waltert

Amanda Anisimova showcased her credentials as a contender at the Australian Open with a rapid victory over Simona Waltert, winning 6-3, 6-2 in just one hour of play. The World No. 4 faced no trouble dispatching the 24-year-old Swiss (No. 87), who was making her debut at this Australian Open.

The American displayed the consistency she has shown since 2025 in Grand Slam tournaments, accumulating 13 wins in her last 15 major appearances—matching the streaks of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. The Wimbledon and US Open finalist equals her 2025 Australian Open performance, when she lost in the second round to Emma Raducanu.

"It was a great year last year. Riding some confidence. It was a lot of great moments last year," the 24-year-old commented in the on-court interview. "Trying to bring those in with me this year. It’s a new tournament, new Slam. So I’m just taking it one match at a time and enjoying every single moment."

This year, the American’s ambitions are even higher, as she looks to improve on her previous Australian Open results. The 24-year-old has reached the fourth round three times—the first of these in her debut in 2019 at just 18 years old. In the second round, she will face the winner of the match between Panna Udvardy (No. 89) and Katerina Siniakova (No. 46).

It was a smooth debut for Anisimova, who many view as a potential title contender. The fourth seed arrived after a disappointing early defeat in the Brisbane International second round against Marta Kostyuk and aimed to leave that loss behind in a match where she was the clear favourite against one of the tournament’s debutants.

It did not take long for Anisimova to show her dominance, setting the pace of the match with an early break. Although Waltert managed to break back and show she could keep up with the American, the hope was short-lived. After a 2-2 tie, Anisimova won three consecutive games to take the lead, which she never relinquished. Holding her serve effectively, she closed the first set 6-3, in a set marked by more errors than winners from both players.

After a first set in which her serve had not been particularly damaging, Anisimova showed clear improvement in the second. She increased her first-serve percentage from 59% to an impressive 82% and did not concede a single point on her serve throughout the set.

An early break put Anisimova ahead 2-0, while another handful of opportunities in the middle of the set allowed her to extend the lead with a double break. Without hesitation, Anisimova won four consecutive service games without conceding a point, closing the match 6-3, 6-2, and winning up to 20 consecutive service points in her favor.

In the second round, she will await her next opponent, who will come from the winner of the match between Siniakova and Udvardy.