Amanda Anisimova came out victorious in a gruelling battle against Alex Eala in the third round of the Cincinnati Open.
The pair played out a narrow three-set match, which really could have gone either way, but the American was able to confirm her place in the fourth round.
The tone was set in the first four games of the first set, which take 22 minutes to complete, and the battle only got more intense from there.
Eala took the first set 6-4, but Anisimova was able to collect herself to fend off the Filipina star and win the next two sets by a scoreline of 6-4, 6-2.
After the match Anisimova took the time out to send a message to Eala and her fans during her on-court interview.
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Speaking on the Cincinnati Open’s main court, Anisimova said: “I know Alex is such a great player and such a fighter. I knew it was gonna be a really tough match.
“There was quite a bit of support for me tonight so I really appreciate that, because I know how loved Alex is… And for good reason. But I really appreciated it because I felt like I needed a pick me up in this match because it’s past my bed time.”
Anisimova was not joking when she said she needed a pick me up in the match as she could be seen drinking a luminous liquid which looked very much like a beer.
The Tennis Channel’s Lindsay Davenport and Brett Haber questioned whether it was alcoholic, suggesting it could also be cider vinegar, but the general consensus was that it was a Red Bull.
Whatever it was, it helped Anisimova get over the line and keep her hopes of winning the Cincinnati Open alive.
She will next play Linda Noskova in round four, but the American has already made a slice of career history at the Masters tournament.
Prior to 2026, Anisimova had failed to reach the fourth round of the tournament in her previous three appearances at the Cincinnati Open.
She’s been knocked out of the second round on two occasions, as well as being beaten in the third round twice, so Anisimova is breaking new ground at the Masters tournament.
Anisimova is yet to win a WTA Tour title in 2026, so she will be hoping to lift the Cincinnati Open trophy for the first time in her career.
The American needed good performances at the Cincinnati Open in order to fend off Marta Kostyuk and keep her place inside the WTA Tour top 10.
She currently sits at world No 10 in the live rankings, 608 ranking points above Kostyuk in 11th place.
