"I want to win this tournament right now."

Those words came from 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova who is enjoying a breakthrough week at the Australian Open. The American hasn't dropped a set on her way to the fourth round in her Melbourne debut. It's just her third major appearance and before this week, she had never won a Grand Slam main-draw match.

Anisimova's most impressive win has been her most recent: a 6-3, 6-2 dismissal of world No. 11 Aryna Sabalenka on Margaret Court Arena.

Advertising

"I was just so excited. I was going to be playing on a big court," Anisimova said. "I was just trying to have fun out there, and I was really enjoying myself. Yeah, I ended up being relaxed."

Advertising

Here's a few things to know about the latest youth sensation:

1

She's the youngest American to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam since Serena Williams (in 1998). She's also the youngest American since Jennifer Capriati all the way back in 1993 to get this far in Melbourne.

2

Anisimova is currently the youngest player inside the Top 100 at No. 87. She'll rise to a career-high ranking of at least No. 61.

3

On the junior circuit, Anisimova reached No. 2, reached the final of the junior French Open in 2016 and won the 2017 junior US Open title.

4

As a 16-year-old last year, she made a splash with a fourth-round run at Indian Wells with wins over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Petra Kvitova.

5

She's already suffered injury hardships in her young career, missing four months of 2018 with a foot injury.

6

The 5'11" Florida resident idolizes Maria Sharapova. "I have always looked up to her and I was watching her when I was little," Anisimova said. "She's a great person to look up to."

7

While both of parents were both born in Russia, Anisimova was born in Freehold, NJ and resides in Aventura, Fla.

8

Her father Konstantin is her coach, along with Max Fomine. She used to work with Nick Saviano.

Anisimova will take on Kvitova next in a rematch of their Indian Wells third round.

Advertising

Anisimova's star 
skyrockets at the
Australian Open

Anisimova's star skyrockets at the Australian Open

Kickoff each day of the 2019 Australian Open with Tennis Channel Live, reviewing the day's most important news and previewing the day's biggest matches. Watch LIVE at 6 p.m. ET.

Follow the Australian Open even closer with Tennis Channel PLUS. Go to BuyTCPlus.com and subscribe now!