American tennis star Amanda Anisimova made history at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2025, securing her first-ever WTA 1000 title with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jelena Ostapenko in the final on Saturday.

The 23-year-old, ranked No.41, became the lowest-ranked player to win the Doha title and the first American to triumph in the tournament since Monica Seles in 2002. With this career-defining victory, Anisimova will soar to a career-high ranking of No.18, making her long-awaited Top-20 debut in the WTA rankings.

The final, held under challenging conditions with swirling winds and intermittent rain, was a battle of two unseeded players ranked outside the Top 30—a rare feat in WTA 1000 history. Anisimova showcased her signature backhand power and mental resilience, taking control of the match early.

Ostapenko, ranked No.37, came into the final in red-hot form after eliminating three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. However, she struggled to contain Anisimova’s aggressive baseline play. Despite breaking back in the second set, the Latvian was unable to shift the momentum in her favor.

Anisimova sealed the victory with her 13th backhand winner of the match, converting her second championship point to lift the biggest trophy of her career.

An emotional Anisimova expressed her joy after the match, saying:"To be able to lift the trophy here, my first WTA 1000, is super special. There’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of tears, a lot of good moments. With tennis, you experience it all, and that’s why I love it."

Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, was gracious in defeat, congratulating Anisimova while reflecting on her own journey in Doha. "Congrats to Amanda, you were playing amazing. Hopefully, we’ll play many more finals," she said.

Anisimova’s path to the final was anything but easy. She became the first player in Doha history to defeat five Top-30 opponents en route to the championship, including a semifinal victory over in-form Ekaterina Alexandrova, who had been on an eight-match winning streak.

This milestone victory marks a stunning comeback for the young American, who is now set to be a major force on the WTA tour in 2025.

With renewed confidence and a career-best ranking, Anisimova will now set her sights on maintaining her momentum for the rest of the season. As the tennis world turns its attention to the upcoming Sunshine Swing, all eyes will be on the newest WTA 1000 champion.

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