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Amanda Anisimova's US Open Exit Sends Her Tumbling

2026-09-21 · Amanda Anisimova · Player Focus

Amanda Anisimova's 2026 US Open campaign ended in tears and a significant rankings drop after a straight-sets loss to Anastasia Potapova. The 25-year-old American, a finalist at Flushing Meadows just last year, was visibly distraught on court as her 6-2, 7-5 defeat in the third round confirmed her exit from the world's top 10.

A painful step back from 2025's heights

Anisimova's frustration was clear for everyone to see. She fought back tears during the match, particularly after falling behind 0-30 at 4-4 in the second set. While she managed a late break when Potapova served for the match, she couldn't sustain the comeback. This early exit stands in stark contrast to her spectacular 2025 season, where she reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open. Since making the Australian Open quarterfinals in January, she hasn't advanced past the second week of a major. The loss to Potapova, which happened in late August or early September 2026, directly caused her to fall from a career-high of world No. 4 to outside the top 10 in the live rankings.

Coaching changes and a search for stability

Her on-court struggles have coincided with instability in her coaching box. Earlier in 2026, Anisimova split with coach Hendrik Vleeshouwers and briefly worked with German coach Sebastian Sachs. For the hard court season leading into the US Open, however, she reunited with Vleeshouwers. She confirmed this partnership would continue after her loss in New York. "Oh, yeah, of course, I'm gonna continue working with him," Anisimova said. This back-and-forth suggests an ongoing search for the right support system to help her recapture her best form.

The lingering shadow of past success

The memory of her near-miss in 2025 remains powerful for Anisimova. She still gets flooded with thoughts of that US Open final, a constant reminder of the pinnacle she reached and the standard she is now trying to meet again. That experience, while a career highlight, now adds a layer of pressure as she works to climb back up the rankings. Managing these memories and using them as motivation instead of a burden is part of her current mental challenge.

Key takeaways from Anisimova's current situation

  • Her third-round US Open loss to Anastasia Potapova has resulted in her dropping out of the WTA's top 10 rankings.
  • Anisimova has reunited with coach Hendrik Vleeshouwers after a brief stint with Sebastian Sachs earlier in the year.
  • The American's results have cooled since her breakthrough 2025 season, where she was a finalist at two Grand Slams.
  • The 25-year-old continues to grapple with the high expectations set by her previous success at major tournaments.

Anisimova's path forward is now about rebuilding. She must consolidate her coaching situation, find a way to translate her undeniable talent into consistent results at the biggest events, and mentally reset after a disappointing North American swing. The coming months on tour will be critical for determining whether this is a temporary slump or a more difficult phase in her career. Fans can track her progress and upcoming matches on our dedicated [fixtures](/fixtures) page.

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