“It was not easy”: Amanda Anisimova saves win after rain delay and missed match points in Miami

Amanda Anisimova survived a disrupted and momentum-heavy contest to open her Miami Open campaign, defeating Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in a match shaped by rain delays and missed opportunities. The American appeared on course for a straightforward victory before conditions intervened at a decisive moment late in the second set.

Leading 6-1, 5-4, Anisimova held two match points on Tomljanovic’s serve at 15-40 when play was suspended due to rain. The interruption proved pivotal. Upon resumption, Tomljanovic saved both match points, held serve, and carried that momentum through the remainder of the set, winning three consecutive games to force a decider.

The shift altered the trajectory of the match, turning what had been a controlled performance into a more complex contest. Anisimova, however, regained composure in the third set, breaking at a key moment and managing the closing stages to secure the win after two hours of fluctuating play.

The result continues a solid stretch of form for Anisimova in 2026. She reached the fourth round at Indian Wells, where she lost to Victoria Mboko (4-6, 1-6), and earlier posted a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open along with a semifinal appearance at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open.

Anisimova described the match as a test of concentration, particularly given the repeated interruptions and shifting momentum. She acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining focus after coming close to closing out the match before the rain delay. “I knew it was gonna be a tough match, and there were so many rain delays, so I tried to keep my focus. A lot of momentum shifts in the match, so I’m just really happy with the way I stuck in it, and kept my head up, and just kept going forward.”

The timing of the interruption added complexity, arriving just as Anisimova was serving for the match and holding match points. The restart compressed the remainder of the set into a short sequence that quickly turned in Tomljanovic’s favour. “It was not easy. Very, very tough break there. I felt like the end of the second set was done in a matter of minutes.”

Despite losing control of the second set, Anisimova indicated that such scenarios form part of the challenge at this level, particularly when external factors disrupt match rhythm. “That makes things fun, and I knew it was gonna be a big challenge for me.”

Beyond the match itself, Anisimova pointed to her broader mindset during tournaments, emphasising a shift away from over-analysis and toward focusing on positives, particularly during quick turnarounds. “I’m not trying to be too analytical about my match. I feel like I was doing too much of that earlier in the year, and I think I’m just trying to focus on the positives.”

She also highlighted the role of competing on home soil, noting that the environment in Miami provides support rather than added pressure, helping her maintain balance during challenging moments. “I don’t really feel pressure. I feel more supported at this event. I definitely have a great balance, and it’s really nice to have the love and support from my family and friends.”

That balance extends beyond the court, where Anisimova has increasingly engaged in off-court activities, including partnerships with brands, as part of her broader development as a player on tour. “Oh, for sure. It’s a lot of fun, and I love being able to show my personality off the court and do things with brands that I really like. It’s always great meeting new people and working on projects.”

She also referenced her enjoyment of different formats within the sport, including mixed doubles, highlighting the value of variety within the tour calendar. “I love playing mixed doubles. I don’t normally play a lot of doubles, but I’m getting more comfortable with it. It’s always a lot of fun, especially when the tours come together.”