Anisimova overcomes Tagger at US Open R2: A win of patience and composure

New York, August 28, 2026 — The Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows witnessed a match that was more than just a display of powerful shots. Amanda Anisimova, the No. 10 seed, had to endure a turbulent test against 18-year-old Austrian talent Joelina Tagger before securing a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory to advance to the third round. From the very first games, Anisimova imposed her rhythm with relentless attacking play from both wings. She served well and consistently unleashed powerful forehands and backhands from the baseline, leaving Tagger with little time to organize counterattacks. This aggression helped the American easily gain the upper hand and close out the first set 6-3. However, the second set saw a notable dip in Anisimova's focus. She double-faulted at 2-1, handing Tagger a break. Seizing the opportunity, the young Austrian played brilliantly, winning 4 of the next 5 games to level the match at one set apiece. Tagger's youthful energy and fearlessness caused significant trouble for the No. 10 seed. It was in the decisive set that Anisimova showed the composure of a top player. She re-established her aggressive game from the start, secured an early break, and raced to a 3-0 lead. In the fourth game, after converting her seventh break point of that game, she built a comfortable 4-0 cushion. From there, Anisimova completely controlled the match and closed out the set 6-1. Final match statistics highlighted the difference in finishing ability. Anisimova hit 30 winners, double Tagger's 15, while their unforced error counts were similar. This indicates she attacked far more effectively without paying a heavy price for her aggression. With this win, Anisimova improved her hard-court record this season to an impressive 17-5 (77.3%). She also reached the Dubai semifinals, and the Australian Open and Cincinnati quarterfinals earlier this year. These are signs of a very consistent season on her preferred surface. For Tagger, despite the exit, her performance at this year's US Open is highly promising. The 2026 Roland Garros junior champion, who won her first WTA title in Prague and became the youngest Austrian WTA title winner, delivered a confident performance in her Grand Slam main-draw debut. She managed to win a set against a top-10 seed, showing immense potential for growth. Next up, Anisimova will face a real test in the form of Anastasia Potapova, the No. 24 seed from Russia. This will be a much tougher challenge than Tagger, as Potapova is an experienced player with a consistent aggressive baseline game. With significant points to defend from last year's US Open runner-up finish, Anisimova knows every match here is crucial for her WTA ranking position.