Sawt Falasteen - Anisimova ensures 25-year Australian Open first for US women

Anisimova defeated China's Wang Xinyu in straight sets and plays fellow United States title contender Jessica Pegula in the last eight in Melbourne.

Pegula defeated another American, defending champion Madison Keys, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round.

Anisimova and Pegula join Coco Gauff and 18-year-old sensation Iva Jovic in the quarter-finals.

Half of the women left in the draw are from the United States, and one is guaranteed to reach the last four.

"We're all rooting for each other.... I think it's cool," said third seed Gauff, who faces Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.

The last time four or more American women made the singles quarter-finals of the Australian Open was in 2001 with Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles and Lindsay Davenport.

"I don't know what's in the water, but I think we have a strong tennis identity in the United States," Gauff said on Sunday.

"So I think that just causes the natural call to produce great players.

"Also, I think when you have friends and people you practice with being at a high level, if you're not at that level yet, you know that you can reach there."

Jovic has the stiffest task of the United States quartet, coming up against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

S.AbuJamous--SF-PST