Amanda Anisimova not surprised younger players are making their mark

Amanda Anisimova says that young players are increasingly taking on the veterans on the WTA Tour.

The 18-year-old American, who fell to second-seeded Karolina Pliskova, 6-3, 6-3, in the Wuhan second round on Tuesday, reached the second week at the Australian Open and the semis at the French Open, upending the former No. 1 Simona Halep in the quarters. In the semis, she lost a tough match against eventual champ Ash Barty in the third set.

Just over two weeks ago, fellow teen Bianca Andreescu won the US Open, beating Serena Williams in the final.

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"I feel like there are so many upcoming players and they're all doing really well," Anisimova was quoted as saying by AFP in Wuhan. "I don’t think we should be as surprised anymore."

It is Anisimova's first event since the recent loss of her father, Konstantin. She says she isn't putting pressure on herself as she returns to playing, but can have an impact at the next Grand Slam, the Australian Open.

"Oh yes, for sure, I think I can do pretty well, especially if I have a good pre-season," she said.

Another teenager, Dayana Yastremska, is also in the Top 50 in the WTA rankings.