Anisimova defeats Ostapenko to claim her first WTA 1000 title.

In the early hours of February 16, Beijing time, the women's singles final of the 2025 WTA1000 Doha tournament concluded. American player Anisimova delivered a stellar performance, defeating Latvian player Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3 to clinch her first-ever WTA1000-level title. As a result, she will also make her debut in the Top 20 of the world rankings, climbing to No. 18.

Fighting her way back, Anisimova makes history.

Anisimova, who entered the tournament as a non-seeded player, delivered a stunning performance at this Doha event. On her way to the semifinals, she defeated five Top-30 players—Azarenka, Badosa, Fernandez, Kostyuk, and Alexandrova—demonstrating both remarkable strength and consistent play throughout the competition.

In the semifinal, Anisimova faced Alexandrova, who had just eliminated world No. 1 Sabalenka, and she showed no fear. Starting strong in the first set, Anisimova delivered an outstanding performance, breaking her opponent's serve twice to take the opener 6-3. In the second set, despite being under intense pressure—Alexandrova created as many as seven break points—Anisimova remained calm and composed, ultimately saving those critical chances to clinch another 6-3 victory, securing her spot in the final with a commanding display.

In the final, Anisimova continued her impressive form. Facing the formidable Ostapenko, she excelled in clutch moments, ultimately securing a straight-set victory. This marks Anisimova’s third career tour-level title—previously, she claimed victories at the 2019 Bogotá Open and the 2022 Melbourne Open. And this Doha triumph undoubtedly stands as the most significant milestone of her career so far.

Although Ostapenko emerged defeated, she still showcased her formidable strength.

Ostapenko delivered another impressive performance at this year's Doha tournament. She advanced to the final without dropping a single set, defeating a star-studded lineup of opponents along the way—including Ito, Samsonova, Paolini, Jabeur, and Swiatek herself. Her semifinal victory was particularly stunning, as she swept aside three-time defending champion and world No. 2 Swiatek with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 scoreline, ending Swiatek's remarkable 15-match winning streak at the event—a result that left everyone in awe.

Throughout the match, Ostapenko delivered 24 winners, compared to Swiatek’s mere 7—clearly showcasing her dominant presence on the court. Although she unfortunately fell short in the final, Ostapenko’s strength remains undeniably formidable. This marks her third appearance in a WTA1000 final; previously, she narrowly missed out on victory at the 2016 Doha event and the 2018 Miami Open.

The Doha tournament has reshaped the WTA rankings, as competition in women's tennis continues to intensify.

With Anisimova claiming the title in Doha, the WTA world rankings have undergone a significant shift. Thanks to her impressive 1,000 points from this tournament, Anisimova has climbed dramatically up the rankings, breaking into the TOP20 for the first time. Meanwhile, although Ostapenko lost in the final, her outstanding performance throughout the event earned her valuable ranking points, helping her rise as well—currently placing her at No. 26 in the live standings.

Notably, last year's Doha runner-up Rybakina was eliminated in the quarterfinals of this year's tournament, causing her ranking points to drop significantly—from sixth to seventh. Additionally, Swiatek’s early exit in the Doha semifinals prevented her from defending her title, resulting in a 600-point deduction and widening the gap between her and world No. 1 Sabalenka. This development has only intensified the competitive landscape in women’s tennis, making future matches even more unpredictable—and all the more exciting to watch.

The Doha women's singles final wasn’t just a personal showdown between Anisimova and Ostapenko—it was also a testament to the rising star power in women’s tennis. Anisimova’s victory showcased the incredible potential of young players, while Ostapenko’s impressive performance highlighted that veterans continue to remain fiercely competitive on the court. No doubt, the future WTA tour will bring even more thrilling matchups—so let’s stay tuned and watch closely!