Amanda Anisimova marked her 25th birthday with a routine straight-sets defeat of Ashlyn Krueger in the first round of the US Open.

Anisimova finished as runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows last year, and she got her quest to go one step further this time around up and running with a 6-1 6-3 victory.

The American was in no mood to give compatriot Krueger a sniff, as she reeled off 25 winners in a dominant display.

Anisimova is now 25-22 against American opponents, while she has now won both of her meetings with Krueger.

"I think everyone is always nervous for the grand slam first round because you're trying to find your tennis and maybe find your rhythm, because first rounds don't always necessarily have the highest quality," Anisimova said.

"Some people try to find their game and then they find it more in the later stages of the tournament, but I think it's very individual to the player.

"I felt great out there today. I thought I played well so I'm happy about that."

Birthday gift: secured pic.twitter.com/l5p7dCO7Tj

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2026

Anisimova will face Lilli Tagger in round two.

French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska, however, suffered an early exit as she lost 6-2 6-3 to Taylor Townsend.

Anisimova's strong start

Last year, Anisimova really came to the party. She reached two major finals and, though she lost both of them, she looked ready to mount a serious challenge in 2026.

But this season has been tough. She came into the tournament with the fewest main-draw match wins of any player in the current top 10, with 20. 

She has not reached a semi-final since doing so in Dubai in February, and the last final she appeared in was in Beijing last year.

However, she had the crowd on her side at Flushing Meadows, and duly delivered a dominant performance to ensure she has won her last eight opening matches at the majors.

Krueger, meanwhile, had progressed from the first round at the US Open in both 2024 and 2025, but she came unstuck against a top-10 opponent.

Her record against such players stands at 1-13, with her only win coming against Elena Rybakina in Miami last year.