A FORMER world number 21 who faced her struggles over the last few years, Amanda Anisimova is a WTA Tour champion at the 1000 level. The American ended the run of Latvian Jelena Ostapenko at the Qatar Open overnight by winning 6-4 6-3 and securing her first Tour title in more than two years, and third of her career.
Anisimova needed an hour and 22 minutes to overcome the former world number four who had taken the scalps of two Top 5 players in Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini throughout the Doha event. Anisimova herself had beaten some high quality opponents including in-form stars Paula Badosa and Ekaterina Alexandrova prior to the final.
Though Ostapenko went in as favourite, it was the 41st ranked Anisimova who grabbed the first break of serve in the fifth game after going 0-40 and just holding on. Her opponent immediately broke back to level it again, but one securing a second break in the ninth game, served out the set shortly after.
Despite both players having their break point chances through the second, the American put the foot down when 3-3, breaking Ostapenko from being down 40-15, then despite facing a break point herself next game, held to go 5-3 up. Incredibly she did not even need to wait to serve for the match again, getting to 15-40 on Ostapenko’s serve to take out the title with her second championship point.
“It feels amazing,” Anisimova said post-match. “It’s been such an incredible week here. I think every match has been very tough. I’m just super happy with my performances and my level here, and to be able to get my first 1000 title is really special to me.”
It has been 23 years since an American has lifted the Doha trophy, with Anisimova following in the footsteps of Monica Seles to achieve the feat. One of the few capable of out-hitting the powerful Ostapenko, Anisimova smashed 38 winners to 22, and had nine less unforced errors (27-36) in a convincing win.
Neither player is accustomed to longer rallies with just three of the 126 points going longer than six shots. That suited Anisimova just fine, who closed out the match impressively, and secured the WTA1000 title and a new career-high of 18th in the world. The Top 20 feat beat her previous best of 21st and will have her seeded at the upcoming Grand Slams over the next few months.
2025 QATAR OPEN WTA1000 – FINAL RESULT:
Amanda Anisimova (USA) defeated Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-4 6-3
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