PARIS — Amanda Anisimova knocked Naomi Osaka out of another Grand Slam tournament on Monday, defeating her, 7-5, 6-4, in the first round of the French Open.
Anisimova, a 20-year-old American with a power game that bears quite a resemblance to Osaka’s, had to save two match points before defeating Osaka in a three-set thriller in the third round of this year’s Australian Open.
But Anisimova was much more efficient on Monday, cracking occasionally under Osaka’s heavy shots and the weight of the moment but ultimately navigating the critical phases of the match with aplomb. Osaka, coming back from an Achilles’ tendon injury, finished with eight double faults and struggled to put first serves in play against Anisimova, a particularly aggressive returner who treats second serves the way a lion might treat a limping impala.