The WTA 1000 tournament in Doha has delivered an unexpected final matchup between Jelena Ostapenko and Amanda Anisimova. Both players, unseeded at the start of the tournament, have defied the odds by overcoming top-tier opponents to reach the championship match.
Ostapenko stuns Swiatek in semifinals
One of the biggest upsets of the tournament came when Jelena Ostapenko eliminated reigning champion Iga Swiatek, denying her the chance to claim a fourth consecutive title in Qatar. Despite entering the match with a pre-match odd of 3.22 and having slipped in the WTA rankings after a difficult 2024 season, the Latvian showcased her dominance.
While the upset seemed surprising on paper, it was less so in context. Ostapenko now holds a 4-0 head-to-head record against Swiatek, and her aggressive, offensive playstyle has historically troubled the Polish star. This week in Doha, Ostapenko has been in top form, making her victory over Swiatek less of an anomaly and more a testament to her outstanding performance.
Anisimova ends Alexandrova’s impressive run
Amanda Anisimova secured her spot in the final by halting Ekaterina Alexandrova’s dream run. The Russian had displayed some of the most consistent and impressive tennis of her career, taking down top-seeded players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula. However, against Anisimova, Alexandrova ran out of steam, falling 6-3, 6-3.
Despite the seemingly one-sided scoreline, Alexandrova put up a strong fight, generating 32 pressure points on return compared to Anisimova’s 25. Both players had 10 breakpoint opportunities, but the American was far more efficient, saving all but one, proving her composure in critical moments.
Ostapenko’s aggressive approach paying off
Ostapenko’s fearless, aggressive style has been a key factor in her success this week. She has been dominant on return, winning over 60% return games won during whole the tournament looks almost like a bias. Her serving, which usually is her liability, is also consistent enough to dominate the opponents this week. It's very well reflected in the comparison of both players performance during the Qatar Open, and during the whole ranking period, where the inconsistency of Ostapenko is clearly visible on the background of all-rounded comprehensive stuff played by Anisimova, who has already reached the final in WTA 1000 tournament last year in Montreal.
Final's Preview
Tomorrow’s final promises to be an electrifying contest with no clear favorite. Anisimova brings a well-rounded and consistent game, which contrasts sharply with Ostapenko’s high-risk, high-reward approach. The key to victory may lie in whether Ostapenko can maintain the elite level of play she has shown all week. If she continues to strike with the same power and precision, she could be on her way to the WTA 1000 title. However, Anisimova’s steady game and recent experience in high-stakes finals, including last year’s WTA 1000 final in Montreal, could prove decisive.
