Sensation! Potapova beats last year's finalist at US Open

Anastasia Potapova is in the round of 16 of the US Open for the first time.

The 25-year-old defeated last year's finalist and tenth seed Amanda Anisimova (USA/WTA-10.) with a score of 6:2, 7:5 in the third round.

The American had eliminated Austrian hopeful Lilli Tagger in three sets in the second round, but against Potapova, she proved to be extremely error-prone, especially in the first set.

Potapova capitalizes on Anisimova's errors

In her first service game, the Austrian had to fend off six break points before leveling at 1:1. Immediately afterwards, Potapova struck, breaking Anisimova's serve to love. The ÖTV's number one then confidently consolidated the break for a 3:1 lead.

Frustration increasingly set in for the American. She repeatedly struggled after errors and lost points. In total, Anisimova made 19 unforced errors in the first set.

Potapova remained focused and struck again at 4:2. Two double faults from the American helped her secure the break for 5:2.

Serving for the set, the 25-year-old kept her nerve and converted her fourth set point overall to take it 6:2.

Anisimova fights back

The second set also started perfectly for Potapova. She broke Anisimova's serve in the very first game.

This time, however, the Austrian couldn't consolidate her break. After fending off two break points, she hit a double fault, which allowed Anisimova to level at 1:1.

Potapova, however, was not rattled and immediately secured another break for 2:1. But again, she couldn't hold onto the lead. Anisimova found some brilliant solutions on the return and leveled the score at 2:2.

After that, the local favorite stabilized and increasingly showed her powerful tennis. Potapova countered and held her service games as well. Up to 4:4, it developed into an evenly matched duel.

Wild finish – Potapova keeps her nerve

Then Potapova struck again. At 4:4, she broke Anisimova's serve and then served for the match.

The American ramped up her game once more and actually managed to break back for 5:5.

But Potapova stayed cool and hit back immediately. With the next break, she went up 6:5, giving her another chance to serve out the match.

This time, the Austrian didn't let the opportunity slip away. Potapova converted her first match point and won 6:2, 7:5 after 1 hour and 39 minutes.

Thus, the 25-year-old is in the round of 16 of the US Open for the first time.

There, she awaits either Czech Nikola Bartunkova (WTA-34.) or Russian fifth seed Mirra Andreeva (WTA-5.).