Raducanu Falls to In-Form Amanda Anisimova in Canadian Open Third Round

Wimbledon Finalist Amanda Anisimova Too Strong for Britain’s No. 1

Emma Raducanu’s run at the Canadian Open came to a halt in brutal fashion as she suffered a straight-sets defeat to Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova. In a match that lasted just over an hour, the Briton was comprehensively outplayed, winning only three games in a 6-2, 6-1 loss that exposed the gulf in form between the two players.

Raducanu, who had enjoyed previous success against the American—winning both of their earlier encounters—struggled from the outset. She managed to hold serve just twice in the match, with Anisimova dominating the baseline exchanges and punishing any short balls with her trademark power.

The numbers told a stark story: Anisimova struck 29 winners to Raducanu’s five and kept her own errors in check, while the British No. 1 racked up 22 unforced errors. It was the kind of clinical performance that has made Anisimova one of the WTA Tour’s most dangerous players in recent months.

Anisimova’s Hot Streak Continues

Anisimova may have been on the losing end of her first Grand Slam final just a month ago, but the 22-year-old has bounced back with remarkable resilience. Her win over Raducanu means she has now taken 14 victories from her last 17 matches—a record no other player can match in that span.

The American has also now reached the milestone of 50 career wins at WTA 1000 events, a testament to her ability to perform on the sport’s biggest regular-season stages. Her power off both wings, particularly her flat backhand down the line, proved lethal against Raducanu, who never quite found her rhythm.

Next up for Anisimova is a fourth-round clash with Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian having breezed past Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-1 earlier in the day. That matchup promises to be an intriguing contrast in styles, with Svitolina’s defensive skills and counterpunching set to be tested against Anisimova’s attacking firepower.

Sevastova Stuns Defending Champion Pegula

Raducanu crashes out in straight sets in Montreal

The women’s draw produced another major upset when Latvia’s Anastasia Sevastova knocked out defending champion Jessica Pegula in a three-set battle, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Pegula, who came into the match riding an 11-match winning streak in Montreal, looked in control early, taking the first set and breaking to lead 2-0 in the second.

But momentum can shift quickly in tennis, and for Pegula, it did so dramatically. “I felt like I had total control and then I just played a couple of terrible games,” she admitted afterwards. Those lapses allowed Sevastova back into the match, and the Latvian veteran—currently ranked 386 in the world—took full advantage.

Returning from maternity leave in early 2024, Sevastova has been gradually working her way back into form. This victory marks her first over a top-five player since 2017 and is a reminder of the guile and variety that once took her deep into Grand Slam draws.

Osaka Back in Business

Earlier in the day, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka produced one of her most confident performances since returning to the tour, defeating 22nd seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4. Osaka’s serve and aggressive return game set the tone from the start, and despite being broken a couple of times, she never lost her composure.

“Granted, she broke me a couple times, but she’s a really good returner, so I can’t take that personally,” Osaka said afterwards. The Japanese star, who has twice won both the US Open and Australian Open, now faces Sevastova in what will be a fascinating meeting of two players on comeback trails.

Rublev, Fritz Advance in Men’s Draw

The men’s tournament also served up some drama, with seventh seed Andrey Rublev recovering from a set down to defeat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Rublev credited his mental resilience for the turnaround: “The main thing today, I was able to be mentally really good. After the first set, I didn’t go down. I was like, ‘OK, let’s keep fighting, keep being positive.’”

The Russian will next face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who comfortably dispatched 12th seed and Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard’s aggressive baseline game and variety could pose problems for Rublev if the seventh seed starts slowly again.

American No. 1 and second seed Taylor Fritz also moved through to the next round in impressive fashion, needing just 75 minutes to see off Canadian wildcard Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-2. Fritz’s serve and forehand were in fine form, allowing him to control rallies and keep the home favourite on the defensive.

Looking Ahead

With Anisimova in imperious form, Osaka showing signs of her best tennis, and surprise packages like Sevastova shaking up the draw, the women’s event in Montreal is shaping up for a thrilling conclusion. On the men’s side, the likes of Fritz, Rublev, and Davidovich Fokina will all be eyeing a deep run as they build towards the US Open later this month.

For Raducanu, however, this defeat will sting. While her two previous wins over Anisimova might have offered confidence going in, this performance was a reminder of how quickly momentum and confidence can shift in tennis. The Briton will need to regroup ahead of the hard-court swing in the United States, where she’ll look to recapture the form that once made her a US Open champion.

In the meantime, the spotlight remains firmly on Anisimova—a player who, with her current form and confidence, could well turn her recent Grand Slam disappointment into the fuel for an even bigger breakthrough.