This time there would be no finals run from American Amanda Anisimova. Just a too-early upset, to essentially end a too-disappointing season. 

A year after reaching two Grand Slam finals, the 10th-seeded Anisimova suffered a third-round U.S. Open loss to No. 24 Anastasia Potapova in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. 

It was a bitter pill to swallow after last season’s breakthrough campaign, having followed up a Wimbledon final with a run to the final here at her home Slam. But after starting the year ranked third in the world, the New Jersey-born Anisimova has now failed to reach the second week — or Round of 16 — in her last three Majors. 

Amanda Anisimova hist a forehand during her third-round loss to Anastasia Potapova at the U.S. Open on Sept. 5, 2026. REUTERS

“My year? Pretty average,” Anisimova summed up succinctly. “I thought she played really well today, so I felt like she did all the right things, so definitely made it tough for me.” 

Anisimovaa fell behind early, broken on her serve. She sprayed several forehands, but afterward said her backhand was worse. Potapova took the game to her, and in the end Anisimova committed a staggering 46 unforced errors. 

“I’m a little bit crazy, but in a good way. I’m not scared of anything,” Potapova had said on court. “I’m always seeking adrenaline in my life.” 

The Freehold, N.J.-born Anisimova had her chances but couldn’t cash in. She dropped her first seven break point opportunities in the first set, and never could get over the hump. 

Amanda Anisimova reacts in frustration after losing a point during her third-round loss. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

“Yeah, there were tons and tons of breakpoints, a lot of chances and opportunities,” Anisimova said. “I felt like in those moments she played quite well, or the conditions just got to me, or I missed the ball. So there were definitely a lot of chances in the match; but she did a good job of staying tough in those moments. Yeah, it’s something for me to look back on, and next time hopefully I can do it better.” 

It’s presumably something Anisimova will look back on with coach Hendrik Vleeshouwers upon returning home to Miami. She reunited with him in July after they had split in March. Now, after bringing him back ahead of the summer hardcourt swing, Anisimova said they’ll continue working together moving forward. 

Anastasia Potapova pumps her fist during her upset third-round win over Amanda Anisimova. SARAH YENESEL/EPA/Shutterstock

“Oh, yeah. Of course. I’m going to continue working with him,” Anisimova said. “[This] match doesn’t change our partnership. It’s just a bad result. But, yeah, I’m planning to keep working with him.”