Amanda Anisimova weathered a second-set collapse before pulling away from 18-year-old Lilli Tagger, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, in the second round of the 2026 US Open on Thursday.
Amanda Anisimova Weathers 2nd Set Stumble Against Lilli Tagger
The No. 10 seed controlled the opener on Grandstand, converting early breaks and building a comfortable cushion.
But Tagger, the No. 49-ranked Austrian playing in her first US Open main draw, leveled the match by reeling off four of five games to snatch the second set. The US "Meme Queen" steadied herself from there, breaking serve twice in the decider and conceding just one game to close it out.
"I was a bit of a crazy woman in the second set, but I'm glad that I got myself together and was able to show a better level," Anisimova said postmatch.
She finished with 30 winners to Tagger's 15 while converting five of her break-point chances. Still, the result marked a promising Grand Slam debut for Tagger. The 2025 French Open junior champion became the youngest Austrian title winner earlier this year in Prague.
Anisimova, who reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals last season, next meets No. 24 seed Anastasia Potapova in the third round of play.
