Anisimova’s deadliest weapon, her double-handed backhand, teamed with her devastating groundstroke pace helped her wrap up the match in just one hour and 11 minutes.
“It’s just always been my best shot,” she said of her backhand.
“I love using it. I love going line, but I also actually like to go cross as well. So, I think it’s hard to predict where I’m gonna hit it and that’s why I think it makes it so special.”
The Floridian was the third American of the day to move into the last 16, accompanying Jessica Pegula, who defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva, and AO defending champion Madison Keys, who took a 6-3 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova.
Saturday’s heightened temperature, reminiscent of the outdoor training courts during a steamy Miami summer, wasn’t enough to faze Anisimova.
“I think it’s just the fact that we had so many outdoor courts in the summer,” she said.
“It was always so hot. I hated training in the summer, but you know what, at least it paid off a little bit. But it’s just great to be playing out here and even when it’s so hot, it’s nice to have a challenge.”
