Anisimova wins biggest career title in Doha, to make Top 20 debut

Amanda Anisimova is set to break into the WTA Top 20 for the first time after securing the most significant title of her career at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open. The 23-year-old American triumphed over Jelena Ostapenko in a rain-interrupted final, winning 6-4 6-3.

Anisimova’s path to the title was nothing short of impressive, with victories over Victoria Azarenka, Paula Badosa, Leylah Fernandez, Marta Kostyuk, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and lastly Ostapenko. This win marks her third career WTA singles title and her first since the Melbourne Summer Set 2 in 2022.

The final featured two unseeded players ranked outside the Top 30, but it was Anisimova who emerged victorious in 1 hour and 22 minutes of play, with two brief rain delays adding to the drama. Just a little over a year ago, she was ranked No. 442 in the world at the 2024 Australian Open, and after reaching her first WTA 1000 final in Toronto last summer, she has now taken another step forward.

Anisimova’s powerful backhand return proved crucial, winning 20 of Ostapenko’s 29 second-serve points and securing five breaks of serve. In the opening set, she capitalized on Ostapenko’s errors, including five double faults, to take the lead. After a rain delay at 3-3 in the second set, Anisimova found another gear, winning the final three games to clinch the title. (source: WTA)