DOHA, Qatar — Amanda Anisimova claimed her first WTA 1000 title when she beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3 within the last of the Qatar Open on Saturday.
Ranked No. 41 on this planet, Anisimova turned the lowest-ranked participant to win the match as she beat six top-40 opponents en path to her third singles title.
The American was ranked as little as No. 359 in 2023 when she took a break from the sport on account of burnout and for her psychological well being, however the 23-year-old has been on the rise since her comeback and is about to maneuver as much as 18th within the rankings — her first look inside the highest 20.
Anisimova is just the second American to win the title, following Monica Seles in 2002, whereas Ostapenko has now completed runner-up in Doha for a second time, having additionally misplaced within the 2016 last.
“There’s been a variety of arduous work, a variety of tears and a variety of good moments,” Anisimova mentioned. “With tennis, you type of expertise all of it, however that is additionally why I find it irresistible. There have been a variety of challenges the previous couple of weeks. I am very happy with myself and proud of how I’ve handled them.”
After rain briefly paused play within the opening set, Anisimova broke first to guide 3-2, however that fired up Ostapenko as she received 9 straight factors to go 4-3 up.
However Anisimova regained her benefit, utilizing her backhand to good impact, and broke Ostapenko once more earlier than she served out the set because the Latvian dropped a set for the primary time within the match.
Ostapenko had the chance to go up 2-0 within the second however did not convert break factors. As Ostapenko took out her frustrations at her crew, Anisimova broke early to take a 2-1 lead and depart her opponent fuming throughout the changeover.
Ostapenko requested a member of her crew to depart her field and received the following seven factors, however she misplaced her momentum after one other 25-minute rain delay.
With Ostapenko serving to remain within the match, Anisimova had two championship factors, and she or he sealed the title on her second with yet one more devastating backhand, falling to the court docket and holding her face in disbelief.