Amanda Anisimova's US Open Run Ends in Third Round Upset

Amanda Anisimova's US Open is over. The American 10th seed was eliminated in the third round on Saturday, September 5, 2026, falling 6-2, 7-5 to Austria's Anastasia Potapova. This early exit marks a stark contrast to her run to the final at Flushing Meadows just a year ago, and it continues a 2026 season where she has yet to reach a tournament final. The loss was part of a tough day for American hopes, with Madison Keys also suffering a shock defeat.

How did Anastasia Potapova secure the upset?

Potapova played a disciplined and resilient match to reach the US Open fourth round for the first time in her career. She defended 13 of the 16 break points she faced, absorbing Anisimova's power from the baseline. After breaking Anisimova to love in the third game of the opening set, Potapova maintained control. The second set was more competitive, featuring three breaks of serve each, but Anisimova's error count proved decisive. On match point, Potapova clasped her hands to her mouth in disbelief after the American sent a final shot long.

Anisimova had a long conversation with her coaches after dropping the first set. She finished the match with 46 unforced errors, a key factor in her defeat. The crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium urged her on, but she couldn't find the consistency that propelled her to the 2025 final and a Wimbledon runner-up finish last season.

What does this mean for Anisimova's 2026 season?

The loss shows a challenging year for the 24-year-old. Despite being seeded 10th in New York, she has been unable to recapture the form that made her a Grand Slam finalist in consecutive years. This third-round exit follows a pattern of results in 2026 where she has not advanced to a single tournament final. It represents a significant setback in her efforts to climb back towards the top of the game and build on her previous major successes.

Her performance data from the match highlights the struggle.

Was there a viral moment away from the court?

In a lighter note from earlier in the tournament, Anisimova found herself at the center of social media speculation. During a changeover, she was seen drinking from a can that sparked online debate among fans. Some wondered if the athlete was drinking a beer during her match. The mystery drink went viral, though no confirmation was provided about its contents. It was a brief distraction from the intense competition, showing how every detail of a player's routine is scrutinized.

How did other American players fare on the same day?

Anisimova's defeat was part of a broader stumble for the American contingent on September 5. While Coco Gauff advanced, Madison Keys suffered a stunning collapse. The 22nd-ranked Keys led China's Zheng Qinwen 5-0 in the final set and held a match point, only to lose seven consecutive games. Zheng, an Olympic gold medalist, saved the match point and completed a remarkable 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 comeback. Men's ninth seed Taylor Fritz also lost after blowing a two-set lead. So the day significantly thinned the home crowd's favorites.

• Amanda Anisimova, the 10th seed, lost in the US Open third round to Anastasia Potapova on September 5, 2026.
• Potapova saved 13 of 16 break points and Anisimova committed 46 unforced errors in the 6-2, 7-5 defeat.
• This ends Anisimova's campaign early, a year after she was the US Open finalist.
• Her loss coincided with Madison Keys' shocking defeat after leading 5-0 in the third set.

Anisimova will now look to regroup after this disappointment. Her focus will shift to the remainder of the season and finding the level that has previously taken her to the sport's biggest stages.