{"id":42795,"date":"2024-01-02T05:36:06","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T05:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/anisimova-makes-winning-return-after-long-tennis-break-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2024-01-02T05:36:06","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T05:36:06","slug":"anisimova-makes-winning-return-after-long-tennis-break-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/anisimova-makes-winning-return-after-long-tennis-break-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Anisimova makes winning return after long tennis break | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nAUCKLAND:
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American wildcard Amanda Anisimova claimed a sizeable scalp Monday in her return after eight months away from tennis, upsetting Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets at the Auckland Classic.<\/p>\n

Anisimova toppled her accomplished opponent 7-5, 6-4 in her first appearance on the WTA Tour since announcing in May she would take an indefinite break, citing burnout and concerns for her mental health.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old former French Open semi-finalist showed no sign of rust, displaying the powerful game that lifted her to a world ranking just outside the top 20 in her teens.<\/p>\n

Anisimova spoke in the leadup to the tournament of being better equipped mentally for the rigours of the professional circuit thanks to her break.<\/p>\n

She withdrew completely from tennis for four months, before gradually resuming training in September.<\/p>\n

But she revealed she nearly didn’t take the court for her first-round match after waking up with “horrible” muscle spasms in her shoulder.<\/p>\n

“I was just so upset because I had the wildcard for this tournament,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I really wanted to play for myself today but also for the tournament — I was really appreciative of them giving me the opportunity.<\/p>\n

“Until the last second I wasn’t sure so I’m proud of myself for coming out here and really pushing myself.”<\/p>\n

Anisimova also received treatment to her left upper leg after winning the first set, describing it as a “little tweak”.<\/p>\n

She emerged strongly, going 5-1 up in the second set against 32-year-old Pavlyuchenkova, a 12-time title winner and former French Open finalist.<\/p>\n

Anisimova will play fifth seed Marie Bouzkova after the Czech beat Magdalena Frech 6-0, 3-6, 6-4.<\/p>\n

The other seeds in action on day one were all victorious, namely third-seeded Ukranian Lesia Tsurenko, fourth-seeded American Emma Navarro and sixth seed Wang Xinyu of China.<\/p>\n

Defending champion Coco Gauff will play her opening match on Tuesday, with the world number three and US Open title-holder having drawn American compatriot Claire Liu.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n