All-American battle sees Peyton Stearns edge out Amanda Anisimova at Madrid Open

Amanda Anisimova has been dumped out of the Madrid Open at the second round stage by fellow American, Peyton Stearns with the latter who has recently got a new coaching team finding early success.

It is a shock as Anisimova has recently showed a return to form winning in Doha and also performing well in Charleston in the opening rungs of the clay court season. But today she was beaten in three sets by her compatriot.

It was a tough tie as Stearns claimed it 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. She now moves on in a good draw to face either Yulia Putintseva or Rebeka Masarova. The winner likely faces Aryna Sabalenka in the Last 16 for a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

Stearns got the break at 6-5 in the third after missing early on break points and this proved to be a real turning point as she was able to serve it out. Anisimova though has no points to defend at this tournament and hasn't been out of the first round since 2022 in this event where she reached the Quarter-Finals.

So not really much lost on her end as she heads to Rome. Stearns recently recruited Blaz Kavcic this week who reached the third round of the Australian and US Open back in 2013 and 2014. She hilariously asked for people to slide into her DM's as she was ditched by coach Tom Hill.

He has since found his way back with Maria Sakkari who is accruing early wins back in their partnership. Elsewhere in Madrid, Sofia Kenin is the latest victor easing past Lulu Sun 6-3, 6-2.

There is also continued success for Rouen champion Elina Svitolina who has seen off the in-form Brit Sonay Kartal who is the third cog in the race to British No.1 alongside Raducanu and Boulter. Raducanu is currently 2-0 down to Marta Kostyuk. While Elise Mertens is on the verge of setting up a tie with Aryna Sabalenka and is serving for the win over Camila Osorio. Zheng Qinwen also has to come from a set down to see off Anastasia Potapova.