She's the youngest American woman to reach the third round since Serena Williams in 1998. The teenager has openly idolized Maria Sharapova, who isn't in Paris this year, but told press about a special moment with Serena from Miami when she lost to Anett Kontaveit in three sets.
"But actually when I had a tough loss at Miami Open, it was a really long match and I was super upset in the locker room, Serena actually came up to me and we shared a little bit of a chat," Anisimova said. "That was really nice of her, and I'll remember it forever."
Serena, who won in straight sets over Kurumi Nara, remembered the exchange.
"I just needed to do that, and I know she's super young," Serena said. "Like I said, I really love all the new young players. Like, it's just so exciting. I feel like tennis has done so much for me, and to see a new generation come through is great. I was, like, I gotta, like, I can't sit here, I can't sit here, I can't, I can't, I gotta make a move. I wanted to."
Anisimova has never played the 23-time Grand Slam champion and can't face her until the semifinals. The world No. 51 has no seeded players left in her section until the quarterfinals.
Follow Nina on Twitter @ninapantic1.
