Amanda Anisimova looks upon Maria Sharapova while writing AO history

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The entire tennis world had the opportunity to see her immense talent, abilities and determination last year at Indian Wells when she reached the fourth round at the age of 16, although her progress had to be put aside after a nasty leg injury in Miami that sidelined her for four months.

Amanda managed to fight her way back, reaching the first WTA final in Hiroshima and finishing the season inside the top-100 as one of the youngest players in the elite group. The super talented youngster has caught some big players here at Melbourne Park as well, standing as the youngest player in the fourth round since Nicole Vaidisova 13 years ago and also as the youngest American since Jenifer Capriati in 1993.

Amanda is also the youngest American in the fourth round of Major overall since Serena Williams at Roland Garros in 1998 but she has Maria Sharapova on her mind at the moment, looking to become the first teenager Grand Slam champion since the Russian did that in New York in 2006 at the age of 19.

This is unreal feeling, cant believe this is happening right now. I was expecting a really tough match, Aryna is a great player, I really cant believe Ive got through this round. Im really feeling good out here, playing some really good tennis, and I love playing in front of you guys, you helped me so much today, I love the sport, so thank you.

Maria Sharapova is definitely the player I have looked up so much, she is an amazing athlete and a great person too, I want to be the next player after her to win a Slam as a teenager.