Pliskova saves match point to advance; Andreescu reaches Grand Slam third round for first time in two years

Searching for her first Grand Slam, Pliskova used all her experience to overcome Anisimova while Andreescu won in straight sets to reach the third round of a Major for the first time since her 2019 US Open title

Karolina Pliskova during the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

September 3, 2021

Former US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova saved a match point and overcame a spirited challenge from young American Amanda Anisimova in the final evening session match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The fourth seed needed all her experience to beat Anisimova, a former world No 21 player currently ranked 75th in the world, 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 in a high-quality encounter that lasted two hours and 22 minutes and thrilled the fans on Ashe Stadium.

The Czech woman, who also reached the final at Wimbledon in July and is a former world No 1, saved a match point during the win as she continues to chase her first Grand Slam singles title.

Pliskova: 24 aces, 6 DF, 70% 1st serves in, broken once, 39 winners, 22 unforced errors.

Anisimova: 5 aces, 2 DF, 73% 1st serves in, broken twice, 44 winners, 37 unforced errors. #USOpen
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 3, 2021

Pliskova will next meet Ajla Tomljanovic on Saturday, after the Croatian upset 30th seed Petra Martic 7-6, 6-4. The Czech’s win also ensured that all the top 20 seeds who started the tournament on the women’s draw have advanced to the third round.

6. Kenin and 14. Brady withdrew before the tournament. https://t.co/h9DlaqHY8K
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 3, 2021

2019 champion Andreescu remains unbeaten at the US Open

Bianca Andreescu on day four of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Credit: AI / REUTERS / PANORAMIC

Former champion Bianca Andreescu scored a straight-sets win over American Lauren Davis to advance to the third round of the US Open on Thursday evening.

The sixth seed needed one hour and 36 minutes to defeat Davis 6-4, 6-4 and move into the round of 32 at a Grand Slam for the first time since her stunning breakthrough win at Flushing Meadows in 2019.

The Canadian sat on the sidelines for all of last year due to injuries. She reached the second round of the Australian Open in January followed by first-round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Bianca Andreescu moves to 9-0 at the #USOpen! pic.twitter.com/DAkxbgnJO1
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2021

The 21-year-old has never lost a match at the US Open so far, improving to 9-0 after her win on Thursday.

Andreescu will next meet Belgium’s Greet Minnen, who scored a 6-4, 6-4 win over Luidmila Samsonova.

FULL SUMMARY OF THURSDAY’S ACTION AT THE US OPEN

Seeds winning at the US Open (2nd round): Ash Barty (1), Bianca Andreescu (6), Iga Swiatek (7), Petra Kvitova (10), Belinda Bencic (11), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (14), Maria Sakkari (17), Anett Kontaveit (28)
Seeds beaten at the US Open (2nd round): Paula Badosa (24), Petra Martic (30)
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