A Tough Ending to a Title Defense in Doha
Defending a first WTA 1000 title is never straightforward, and for Amanda Anisimova, the challenge in Doha proved heavier than expected. The world No. 4 was forced to retire from her second-round match at the Qatar Open against former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, bringing an abrupt end to her title defense and a demanding afternoon on Centre Court.
Anisimova became the second high-profile player of the day unable to finish her match, following Emma Raducanu’s retirement just minutes earlier. While the American battled hard through two tense sets, it became increasingly evident that something was amiss before she ultimately made the difficult call midway through the decider.
Big Expectations, Heavy Points to Defend
Anisimova arrived in Doha carrying the weight of expectation. Twelve months earlier, she had lifted the biggest trophy of her career at this very tournament, capturing her maiden WTA 1000 title with wins over Paula Badosa, Leylah Fernandez and Marta Kostyuk, before defeating Jelena Ostapenko in the final.
This time, she entered as the No. 3 seed and one of the standout favourites, especially after world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrew ahead of the event. That context made the early exit even more costly: Anisimova will be unable to defend her points and is set to drop out of the Top 5 for the first time in five months.
Anisimova Strikes First, Pliskova Stays Patient
Despite facing perhaps her most difficult head-to-head opponent, Anisimova started assertively. She broke early, backed it up with composed service games, and surged ahead to a 4–1 lead in the opening set. Pliskova, still rebuilding after a long injury layoff and ranked outside the Top 400, initially struggled to find timing and rhythm.
But the Czech veteran steadied. She clawed back three games in a row, erased two set points, and levelled at 5–5. The momentum briefly swung, yet Anisimova responded when it mattered, raising her level late and finally converting her fourth set point with a decisive break to seal the opener.
Amanda Anisimova vs Karolina Pliskova – Set One Stats
| Statistic | Amanda Anisimova | Karolina Pliskova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.60 | 0.62 |
| Serve Rating | 286 | 231 |
| Aces | 3 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 65% (20/31) | 67% (39/58) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 80% (16/20) | 64% (25/39) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 55% (6/11) | 32% (6/19) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (1/2) | 60% (3/5) |
| Service Games | 83% (5/6) | 67% (4/6) |
| Ace % | 9.7% | 5.2% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 3.4% |
| Return Rating | 177 | 132 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 36% (14/39) | 20% (4/20) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 68% (13/19) | 45% (5/11) |
| Break Points Won | 40% (2/5) | 50% (1/2) |
| Return Games | 33% (2/6) | 17% (1/6) |
| Pressure Points | 43% (3/7) | 57% (4/7) |
| Service Points | 71% (22/31) | 53% (31/58) |
| Return Points | 47% (27/58) | 29% (9/31) |
| Total Points | 55% (49/89) | 45% (40/89) |
| Set Duration | 0h57m | |
Momentum Shifts in a Tight Second Set
The second set followed a familiar early pattern. Anisimova broke first again, moving quickly into a 3–0 lead as Pliskova’s second serve came under pressure. From the outside, it looked like the American was on course for another routine win in Doha.
Then the match turned.
Errors crept into Anisimova’s game, and her energy visibly dipped. Pliskova seized the opening, breaking back twice in succession and rattling off four straight games. Anisimova managed to pull one break back, but the set drifted into a tiebreak, where Pliskova served with greater authority and edged it 7–6(3).
Amanda Anisimova vs Karolina Pliskova – Set Two Stats
| Statistic | Amanda Anisimova | Karolina Pliskova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.89 | 1.12 |
| Serve Rating | 239 | 244 |
| Aces | 1 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 66% (29/44) | 60% (25/42) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 59% (17/29) | 68% (17/25) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 47% (7/15) | 47% (8/17) |
| Break Points Saved | 0% (0/2) | 60% (3/5) |
| Service Games | 67% (4/6) | 67% (4/6) |
| Ace % | 2.3% | 7.1% |
| Double Fault % | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| Return Rating | 158 | 227 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 32% (8/25) | 41% (12/29) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 53% (9/17) | 53% (8/15) |
| Break Points Won | 40% (2/5) | 100% (2/2) |
| Return Games | 33% (2/6) | 33% (2/6) |
| Pressure Points | 29% (2/7) | 71% (5/7) |
| Service Points | 55% (24/44) | 60% (25/42) |
| Return Points | 40% (17/42) | 45% (20/44) |
| Total Points | 48% (41/86) | 52% (45/86) |
| Set 2 Duration | 1h02m | |
Physical Struggles Surface
Early in the third set, Anisimova’s movement and timing faltered further. Karolina Pliskova stayed solid, held her ground from the baseline, and broke to take the lead. At 1–2, Anisimova called for a medical timeout, during which her vital signs and blood pressure were checked.
She returned to the court, but the momentum was gone. Pliskova broke again and moved ahead 4–1. Recognising that she could no longer compete at the required intensity, Anisimova chose to retire, bringing her Doha campaign to a premature close.
Amanda Anisimova vs Karolina Pliskova – Set Three Stats (partial)
| Statistic | Amanda Anisimova | Karolina Pliskova |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.29 | 3.50 |
| Serve Rating | 210 | 362 |
| Aces | 0 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% (9/14) | 79% (11/14) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 56% (5/9) | 82% (9/11) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 40% (2/5) | 100% (3/3) |
| Break Points Saved | 67% (2/3) | – (0/0) |
| Service Games | 50% (1/2) | 100% (3/3) |
| Ace % | 0% | 7.1% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 0% |
| Return Rating | 18 | 187 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 18% (2/11) | 44% (4/9) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 0% (0/3) | 60% (3/5) |
| Break Points Won | – (0/0) | 33% (1/3) |
| Return Games | 0% (0/3) | 50% (1/2) |
| Pressure Points | 67% (2/3) | 33% (1/3) |
| Service Points | 50% (7/14) | 86% (12/14) |
| Return Points | 14% (2/14) | 50% (7/14) |
| Total Points | 32% (9/28) | 68% (19/28) |
| Set Duration (not full) | 0h23m | |
Karolina Pliskova’s Encouraging Return Continues
For Pliskova, the win marked another positive step in her comeback. The former world No. 1 has now beaten Anisimova six times in seven meetings — no other player has troubled the American more consistently.
After reaching the third round at the Australian Open in her first tournament back after 17 months away, Pliskova advances once again at WTA 1000 level. It is her best result in Doha since 2024, when she reached the semi-finals, and another sign that her return to the tour is gathering momentum.
Ranking Implications and What Comes Next
Anisimova is projected to fall to at least No. 6 in the rankings, slipping behind Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the American pecking order. For now, her priority will be recovery, with the Sunshine Double looming large.
Pliskova, meanwhile, moves into the third round in Qatar with confidence restored — and proof that patience and persistence are paying off once more.