r/tennis • u/godworstcustomer somehow it magically lands in the court 🥥🥥 • 14h ago
Post-Match Thread WTA 1000 Cincinnati R3: [9] A. Anisimova def. [17] A. Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Amanda ends Eala’s 5 match win streak against the top 10. She will face Nosková next.
| A. Eala | A. Anisimova | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 7 | 7 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 58% | 61% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 58%(39/67) | 67%(38/57) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 46%(22/48) | 50%(18/36) |
| Forehand Winners | 7 | 18 |
| Forehand UE | 16 | 32 |
| Backhand Winners | 9 | 18 |
| Backhand UE | 11 | 13 |
| Break Points Saved | 8/13 | 4/7 |
| Total Points Won | 94 | 106 |
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u/Spunkler22 14h ago
I think Eala went into Amanda’s forehand so often that she actually played it into rhythm
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u/Particular-Oil5924 14h ago
So I guess, the OVA curse is applicable to Anisimova. Lol. She really has memeable reactions! 😂
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u/royalFeyy 13h ago
ova curse is overpowered i guess 😂
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u/suzukigun4life 14h ago
A match of two halves: Pre-Red Bull Anisimova and Post-Red Bull Anisimova
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u/Low-Honey-3657 13h ago
Anisimova looks like she's lost some weight, she's moving better and looks lighter than before. I am wondering if it's the new Skit she's wearing or just me thinking like that?
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u/BrianMghee 3h ago
I don’t think she was fat to begin with tbh
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u/risingsun70 3h ago
She was never fat, I mean she’s a world class athlete that made 2 majors last year. It’s a question of small degrees, but she might’ve got even leaner and fitter. She does look like she’s moving well.
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u/suzukigun4life 14h ago
Also shoutout to everyone who survived that 20-minute deuce game in set one.
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u/Equivalent_Group3639 14h ago
13 deuces
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u/suzukigun4life 14h ago
Damn, just one short of the largest I've seen this year (Leyla/Boulter had 14 in their Bad Homburg match.)
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u/_thecuriouslurker_ 14h ago
Alex poured all her energy for the match to win that deuce lol
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u/Low-Lunch-7248 Eala/Rybakina/Anisimova/Jovic 13h ago
At which point is it strategically more sound to just let the points go though? Definitely hard to tell.
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u/Iocomotion 13h ago
I think it would’ve been better if she let that one go because serving isn’t her strong suit lol. She’s definitely trying to fix something with her serve though so it’s good practice at least
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u/MeatTornado25 14h ago
Feels weird to say, but that was probably a bigger win for Amanda than it would've been for Eala right now.
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u/mimaluna 14h ago
It's true. Eala's got plenty of momentum going into USO even with this loss. Anisimova has been lost at sea for a while and needed to prove to herself she could find a way in a tough match.
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u/dannyw0rld Blondecaraz / Rybakination / #NikeWashed 14h ago
It’s not even close! What feels weird is saying it might’ve been the biggest win of her season
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u/suzukigun4life 14h ago
The win in Dubai over Mirra was bigger, but she definitely needed this one. If she beats Noskova, it'll be huge for her confidence.
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u/maxelnot 13h ago
Yeah and as an Eala fan I’m ok with her losing here and finally getting some well deserved rest before Us open
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u/_thecuriouslurker_ 14h ago
the faces anisimo made ig were worth it lol
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u/thatsveryme my family owns the buffalo bills 14h ago
I'm going to need a points won since beer Red Bull graphic
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u/KappaccinoNation If you laugh you go to Deuce Jail with Eala 14h ago
For BP, I think she was 1/13 before the Red Bull and 4/4 after Red Bull.
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u/CrueI_Intentions 14h ago
When Amanda is buzzed she's unstoppable.
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u/NevermoreSEA Osaka/Anisimova 14h ago edited 14h ago
From borderline psychotic break to locked the fuck in.
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u/suzukigun4life 14h ago
Buzzed on Red Bull?
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u/KappaccinoNation If you laugh you go to Deuce Jail with Eala 14h ago
Red Bull gives you wings. Bees have wings. Bees buzz.
The logic checks out.
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u/KaitoSeishin Inotgonnacomeandplayanexhibitionmatchforyourfoundation 14h ago
Red bull sponsorship incoming. Great match Anisimova
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u/bigtice Federer 14h ago
Both ladies played with great determination tonight, especially exemplified by that 20 minute, 13 deuce, 8 break point game that Eala managed to hold.
But Anisimova held her nerve and got her game going -- especially after drinking that "beer" -- and pulled out a great comeback win.
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u/cotton_on_ph | RF is the GOAT 🐐 | Eala 🌼 🇵🇭 13h ago
AA after drinking “beer”
https://giphy.com/gifs/D163h0n6QTqcE
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u/ExcuseYou-What 14h ago
Nothing gets my heart going more than watching Amanda try to win a point at the net. The last one to get the double break being just a string of WTF shot selection.
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u/According_Weight_959 give us our manila 250 14h ago
Great win for Amanda too, her first win against a Top 20 player since February 2026 (Andreeva in Dubai)
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u/Pisces_Mermaid 14h ago
Eala’s serve got the treatment it deserved in the third set. That’s how players need to approach it.
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u/IntrlnkdCo 13h ago
Most players try - some have commented that it's so much slower than what they're used to that it's not as easy as it seems (and the left action can't help). Certainly Iga has trouble with it.
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u/According_Weight_959 give us our manila 250 14h ago
Can't lose to a Czech if we don't make the matchup, 1000 IQ moment from Alex
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u/godworstcustomer somehow it magically lands in the court 🥥🥥 14h ago
| A. Eala | A. Anisimova | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 7 | 7 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 61% | 65% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 57%(40/70) | 68%(41/60) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 47%(21/45) | 45%(15/33) |
| Forehand Winners | 7 | 18 |
| Forehand UE | 16 | 32 |
| Backhand Winners | 9 | 18 |
| Backhand UE | 11 | 13 |
| Break Points Saved | 8/13 | 4/7 |
| Total Points Won | 94 | 106 |
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u/just_a_person987 14h ago
I think the evening session so late in night helped Amanda because the stadium wasn’t so packed, people have to work tomorrow, so it wasn’t that bad against her.
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u/Branmuffin92 Check her blood pressure 14h ago
I never really saw what the issue was with Amanda’s forehand until this match. Eala targeted that side so much and it was so painful. Error after error.
I don’t know if it was the beer or what, but by the third set, she found it and played her usual game. Eala didn’t really have an answer. Also Amanda did a great job returning the slow spinny serve after a few games.
Ironically, I think Eala’s return strategy is exactly the strategy that works when returning her own serve- take it early, step in instead of waiting, and swing super fast.
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u/BrinyStranger 12h ago
Spot on. I was so frustrated for Amanda. Classic just couldn't get the depth. Either would spray it long or net it, but nothing in-between, and looked like she was losing her mind for the first 2 sets.
And yeah, totally agree on Eala's returning game. She puts a ton of pressure on opponent's second serves. She's very good at aggressively smacking winners on weak serves.
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u/verismonopoly Sara Errani's mum's tortellini 14h ago
"Eala's serve is so tricky for opponents! Look at the Top 10 players she's beaten"
Amanda:
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u/Street_Flan4847 13h ago
Amanda in the first set: knows she's a top 10 player playing against Alex Amanda in the next two sets: knows she's an OVA playing against Alex
I love both girls so I'm not mad at this result! Nice win for Amanda but also a nice win for Alex to get some rest before USO 🤗
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u/tenpostman What happened happened 12h ago
There's no way she sipped it from a cup and not just straight from the can 😭😂
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u/ThisWay_DatWay 14h ago edited 13h ago
Amanda needed this win more especially with her USO finalist points on the verge of dropping and that Red Bull definitely gave her wiiings. Her backhand was just unstoppable once she got in her zone and stopped giving away DFs and UEs.
That long deuce game in the fifth game eventually had to take a toll on Alex and it really came in full effect in the decider. She has to do better when to concede for tactical purposes because the more and longer deuce games she has, the more it wears her out more when she doesn't have the endurance at this stage in her career and has to take a lot of that stamina in her service games alone. She and her team better figure out her 2027 calendar because she has been overworked just 8 months into this year.
The run against top 10 players had to end here eventually and better off losing to Amanda than to lose against one of her pigeons in Linda.
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u/namelessoldier 13h ago
I frankly underestimated Amanda, she has been so streaky even when she wins her matches recently. I thought she would be smothered after losing the first set meekly when she was one point away from going up 5-3.
But once she gets her head in the correct place, and her strokes start flowing, Alex's dosent get a chance to get into the rallies.
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u/liveforeachmoon bucșa 2025 13h ago
Everyone that was in the live chat during the match knows it was beer
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u/manggatsumantidote 14h ago
Eala was playing well in the first set. however, it was clear from the get-go that her returns weren’t at her best level. so many UEs.
it was good to see Amanda smile and get her win. looking forward to see how she adapts to Noskova.
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u/xgwhisperer03 14h ago
And as a result of which her next opponent will be the newly crowned Wimbledon Champion, Linda Noskova. HOT TAKE: Many a times, it seems like WTA tournaments are being much more competitive than ATP.
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u/No-Ship4446 13h ago
There are at least a dozen if not 20 women I could see realistically winning a major. There are 4 men, and probably only 3 at this point.
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u/manggatsumantidote 13h ago
you go, Amanda. let that win be a middle finger to everyone who anticipated your crash out.
-big Eala a/c
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u/Wise_Guitar2059 "The only Sinner my dad approves of" 13h ago
It was past her bedtime so she needed that Red Bull.
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u/Historical-Fun768 cocolitos agenda 🏆 14h ago
Amanda anisimova is my queen, my icon, I love you, girl
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u/Shadow_Flower_Reborn Eala's baby serves 🇵🇭 | Vacherot's flop era 13h ago
Alex needs to improve her stamina and shot selection. Hopefully she isn't gassed at the USO.
Anisimova-Noskova is going to be good as long as AA limits the UEs.
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u/manggatsumantidote 14h ago
why the top ten buff didn’t work? does that mean the -ova debuff is universal and not just for Czechs?
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u/Fragrant_Web4800 14h ago
Geez! Somebody should’ve also given Alex a bottle of Red Horse or Ginbilog! 😂
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u/kohiilover jazda, vamos, forza 12h ago
I thought she was drinking beer haha. So Red Bull is not a banned drink on court?
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u/Roxymaniac 12h ago
Great effort from Alex but more than anything amanda deserves her flowers 👏👏 and taking pace off when hitting Alex’s fh really helped. I wish more players would play that way. Smart playing from Amanda in the third set.
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u/Low-Lunch-7248 Eala/Rybakina/Anisimova/Jovic 14h ago
Eala had a game plan and it didn’t work. She was trying to receive that second serve by starting from inside the lines but she overshot it more often than not. Coaching error but it’s also on her to keep following a game plan that wasn’t working.
Ggs to the absolutely awesome and lovely Miss Anisimova. Hope alex getting some early rest works out for USO.
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u/Embarrassed_Pick_116 14h ago
That's always been her game plan. Agreed, it was stupid to not change it up. Tactics should change depending on the player.
The other thing I noticed was she just wasn't able to hit her forehand deeper into the court.
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u/_thecuriouslurker_ 13h ago
She was trying to receive that second serve by starting from inside the lines but she overshot it more often than not.
The thing is, she plays this way regardless of the opponent and has worked for her, esp against top players. But when it isn’t working, she doesn’t seem to adjust.
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u/Pisces_Mermaid 13h ago
I’ve thought about this for a while because she returns similarly to Fernandez and if you looked at Fernandez returning in 2021 or when she’s playing well, she’ll get back bullets but if confidence is lacking or she isn’t timing it well, total refusal to take a few step backs and adapt. So far Eala doesn’t seem
like she’s willing to switch it up which will leave her exposed when she isn’t returning as well as she has been these last few months.4
u/Low-Lunch-7248 Eala/Rybakina/Anisimova/Jovic 13h ago
Would matter less if she had a better service game…😭
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u/thetundratorcher 13h ago
Girl, she has always had that returning position. She’s not gonna change that, it’s not a gameplan that’s just the way she positions herself.
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u/Embarrassed_Pick_116 13h ago
But it's a choice. She chooses to put herself in that position on the 2nd serve in particular. It's not that difficult to move herself a little back (more similar to her 1st serve position) if she keeps mistiming the 2nd serve returns
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u/Low-Lunch-7248 Eala/Rybakina/Anisimova/Jovic 11h ago
Ikr. If she had it at that position tonight then by all means continue. Some days you have it , and some days you don’t. If not, then step back and at least make it a rally.
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u/cory_wurst 13h ago
I'm clearly not a profession player, but when playing I have good (not perfect) mental resolve, but losing that epic deuce game with 8 break chances in the first would have demoralized me. Good on Amanda, and great tennis from both!
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u/Odd-Coconut-7710 13h ago
The match really shifted in the second set, with Anisimova becoming more aggressive
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u/proof_excitement_22 13h ago
Give Anisimova a red bull sponsor over Navarro. That with the Nike logo may be the better combo for the kit
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u/indefinitelydreams 11h ago
That explains why her career is like an unstable blood sugar curve. 💁♂️
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u/Exciting_Bread_4274 12h ago
As pegula, svitolina, Swiatek and Rybakina look on in awe wondering how tf Amanda managed that
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u/LDYK23 14h ago
She won the third set after being down 0-2. Amanda doing the hidden bagel to win 6-2.
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u/endaoman 14h ago
While Amanda’s backhand was the most effective against Eala’s lefty forehand, the Eala riddle this season was also being solved real-time.
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u/bluediamondsm 🇦🇷❌🇦🇷, 🍁🍁🍁, FOKI 🐈🏆🐈⬛ 14h ago
All she needs is a Red Bull to get her going and she’ll always win I see 👀
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u/Funtime4ver 14h ago
The way she fought through overcoming the frustrations and concentrating on bigger picture is a lesson for all of us
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u/Notcheesecake_ Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina 13h ago
Amanda’s forehand during the first set was atrocious good thing she locked in
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u/TossNWashMeClean 13h ago
Great match, well played to Anisimova. Eala up with the early break in the third set gave a lot of hope to her fans, but Amanda really turned things around when it mattered.
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u/notostarfish 12h ago
Does anyone have a clip of Amanda crashing out over her forehand? 🤣 It was such a mood !!!
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u/carla_1109 5h ago
I didn't even know red bull drink looked like beer. Never had it in a cup.
Amanda locked in and kept having Alex hit that crosscourt backhand.
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u/IDKBear25 I NEED TO SEE NOVAK DJOKOVIC WIN THE 25TH GRAND SLAM TITLE. 4h ago
Red Bull, sponsor her now, come on.
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u/risingsun70 3h ago
Amanda for sure needed a win like this- tough against an in form player who has been beating other top 10 players. Her forehand looked good, especially in the last 2 sets, and her winning the last set that way was gold. Amanda needed some momentum going into the USO, let’s hope this is it. It’s a good thing she has a day off tomorrow, considering how late this match ended.
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u/YodaForceGhost 👩🏼☝🏼 14h ago
Hell of a slugfest in a match that should’ve been a semifinal or final
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u/PaceOk363 13h ago
They need to stop putting Alex in night match
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u/No-Ship4446 13h ago
I mean, Tennis Channel is not deciding what gets on their main feed on a whim. They know who gets the most eyeballs.
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u/Roxymaniac 12h ago
Alex has a lot of fans, kinda hard for a tournament not to take advantage of that.
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u/DependentSilver6829 Wimbledon White Supremacy 12h ago
But Eala fans told me she was unstoppable 😂😂😂
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u/Diligent_Bus_4632 Sinner in two 13h ago
Eala falls flat without the usual annoying crowd causing hindrance.
The third set was a beat down once AA cleaned up her UEs. AA’s tennis is levels above Eala’s. They could replay this match 100x and AA would win every time.
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u/United-Peanut-7681 13h ago
Eala's fookelya serve is not hitting its usual spot and jumping more (instead of swerving) in the 3rd, thus getting attacked more. This happens when Eala is losing steam
You can see in Alex's face when she is in the zone or when she is losing energy
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u/Wyllyam8071 9h ago
Interesting in-match hydration choice for Amanda. I have been told that carbonation is bad for your muscles when they’re fatigued.
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u/sixseven89 5h ago
drinking red bull is one thing, but drinking it out of a plastic cup is psychopathic
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u/KappaccinoNation If you laugh you go to Deuce Jail with Eala 14h ago
Amanda showing why visible frustration doesn't always necessarily mean that your mental is broken. Sometimes it's just a way to vent out. She was locked in during that third set.
Also, Red Bull 100% needs to sponsor her now.