Naomi Osaka, the defending champion, has been eliminated from the Australian Open after Amanda Anisimova upset her on Friday, January 21.
On Margaret Court Arena, the four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan, seeded 13, won the first set, but Amanda, a 20-year-old American ranked 60th in the world, defeated Naomi 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) F.
“I’m speechless, I can’t stop smiling,” said the 20-year-old, who is undefeated this year after winning a lead-up tournament in Melbourne.
“I knew I had to be playing sharp if I wanted to give myself a chance. Naomi is always going to be playing well, she is an absolute champion.
“So I really had to step up my game and try to be aggressive. That’s what I started doing in the second set and so grateful I was able to do this well today and get the win. It means a lot.”
It’s the fourth time Osaka has failed to defend a major championship, and the 11th time she’s been knocked out in the third round of a Grand Slam, including the U.S. Open last year.
