Amanda Anisimova marked her 25th birthday with a powerful performance at the US Open, defeating American rival Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3 in the first round. The victory, which took just 72 minutes, signals Anisimova's strong form and potential for a deep run in the tournament.
Anisimova received a surprise tribute from fellow players in the locker room before her match, with Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina labeling her the "meme queen" of the women's tour.
The match, held on the partisan Louis Armstrong Stadium court, saw Anisimova demonstrate her considerable skillset. While she faced minor challenges on her serve at the beginning of each set, gifting Krueger break opportunities, she ultimately managed to hold serve effectively.
Krueger managed to secure one break of serve in the second set, briefly raising the possibility of a comeback. However, Anisimova quickly regained control, breaking back and closing out the set and match. Krueger's frustration was evident as she slammed her racket and kicked it across the court after losing the crucial service break.
This dominant opening round performance sets up a second-round encounter for Anisimova against Austrian player Lilli Tagger. Despite not yet replicating the heights of her 2025 season, where she reached finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, Anisimova is showing flashes of her Grand Slam-contending ability. Following a mental health break in 2023, she appears to be in the best physical shape of her career, positioning herself as a strong competitor in the current competitive women's field.
This marks the second career meeting between Anisimova and Krueger, with their only previous encounter being at the Silicon Valley Classic in 2022, where Anisimova also secured a victory. The birthday win offers a memorable start to Anisimova's US Open campaign.