Advertising

WATCH: Anisimova overpowered Aliaksandra Sasnovich in three entertaining sets to capture the Melbourne Summer Set title.

Amanda Anisimova's coaching trial with Darren Cahill got off to a good start as she won the WTA 250 warm-up event in Melbourne. It is her first title since 2019 and second of her career.

"To start off the year playing my first tournament with a title, it's an amazing feeling," said the 20-year-old, who had revealed her coaching collaboration with the highly-experienced Cahill during the week.

"We’re just starting and getting to know each other," she was quoted as saying before the final.

Anisimova indicated that the two have not yet agreed on whether it will extend through the season, but was "hoping" that "it could become a long-term thing."

Cahill, who is based in Adelaide, had said he was reluctant to travel the tour full-time when he stopped coaching Simona Halep. He has also coached other former No. 1s Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt, and worked with several other ATP and WTA players.

Following her win in the final, Anisimova said she was also unsure if Cahill's commentary schedule would allow him to help her during the Australian Open.

"We'll come up with a plan," she said. "I'd be glad to, but I know he has some TV stuff, so we'll just talk about it."

The former top junior is No. 78, down from a career-high No.21 in the rankings.