Emma Raducanu has set her sights on her next opponent at the 2025 Australian Open, Amanda Anisimova, and has identified the key challenge she will face in their upcoming match: Anisimova’s powerful groundstrokes. The American is known for her aggressive baseline play, particularly her forehand, which can dictate the tempo of a match and cause significant problems for her opponents.
Raducanu, who has shown great form despite concerns over her fitness leading up to the tournament, acknowledged Anisimova’s big weapon in a pre-match interview, noting that her opponent’s ability to take control of rallies with deep and powerful shots is something she will need to manage carefully.
“Her power off the ground is really impressive, especially on her forehand side,” Raducanu said. “She can dictate play from the baseline and put you on the defensive quickly, so it’s important to try and stay aggressive and not let her dominate the rallies.”
Anisimova’s forehand, one of the most feared shots on the WTA Tour, has helped her secure several key wins in the past, and Raducanu is well aware of how dangerous it can be. She will look to use her own aggressive game to counter Anisimova’s big hitting, focusing on keeping points short and maintaining pressure.
The match is expected to be a thrilling contest between two young stars with contrasting styles, as Raducanu’s court coverage and counterpunching will be tested against Anisimova’s raw power. Raducanu’s ability to handle the pressure and neutralize Anisimova’s weapons will likely be crucial in determining the outcome of this anticipated clash at the Australian Open.
