Amanda Anisimova advanced to the third round of the 2026 US Open after a hard-fought victory over 18-year-old Lilli Tagger on Thursday. The match, held on Grandstand, saw Anisimova recover from a shaky second set to claim the win with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Anisimova Overcomes Mid-Match Setback to Secure Win
The No. 10 seed started strongly, asserting control early on by breaking Tagger’s serve and maintaining a steady lead through the opening set. However, Tagger, currently ranked No. 49 and competing in her first US Open main draw, responded with a spirited comeback. She captured four of five games in the second set, overturning the momentum and leveling the match.
After the second set setback, Anisimova regrouped and elevated her game in the final set. Demonstrating resilience and precision, she broke Tagger’s serve twice and surrendered only a single game to close out the encounter. Anisimova finished with an impressive 30 winners, doubling Tagger’s count of 15, while converting five of her break-point opportunities.
Tagger’s performance marked a notable Grand Slam debut, reflecting her rising trajectory in the sport. Earlier this year, the 2025 French Open junior champion became the youngest Austrian to claim a professional title, triumphing in Prague.
Looking ahead, Anisimova will face No. 24 seed Anastasia Potapova in the third round, aiming to build on her consistent Grand Slam results after reaching back-to-back finals last season.