Pliskova, Osorio Progress; Anisimova, Raducanu Retire in Doha Opener
In an eventful opening day at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, two players advanced while two others were forced to retire due to illness. Karolina Pliskova and Camila Osorio emerged victorious as Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu had to withdraw during their matches.
Pliskova Returns Strong
Karolina Pliskova, the former world No. 1, demonstrated resilience in her match against Amanda Anisimova. Having struggled with an ankle injury for over a year, this marked only her third tournament back on the WTA Tour. Pliskova had previously reached the third round of the Australian Open and the WTA 1000 event in Doha.
In her match, Pliskova initially dropped the first set but fought back after being down 0-3 in the second. She rallied to force a tiebreak, which she won, leveling the contest. Anisimova, the defending champion, exhibited physical difficulties and ultimately retired while trailing 4-1 in the deciding set.
Match Statistics
- Score: 5-7, 7-6 (3), 4-1 (ret.)
- Duration: 2 hours and 22 minutes
- Winners: Anisimova 49, Pliskova 34
- Unforced Errors: Anisimova 45, Pliskova 30
- First Serve Percentage: Pliskova 66%
- Aces: Pliskova 7
This victory marks Pliskova’s sixth win over Anisimova in their last seven encounters. Looking ahead, she expressed excitement about competing in her next match against either Karolina Muchova or Tereza Valentova.
Osorio Takes Advantage
Camila Osorio, ranked No. 80, also made headlines with her match against Emma Raducanu. After losing the first set, Osorio bounced back to claim the second set 6-4. However, Raducanu, who had recently reached the final in Ostrava, struggled physically and ultimately retired while trailing 2-0 in the third.
Recent Performance
- Osorio’s current win streak: 8 matches
- Previous achievements: Won the WTA 125 Philippines Women’s Open
- Opponent in the next round: Katerina Siniakova
Osorio had previously faced Raducanu earlier this year, losing in Hobart but has since improved her form. In the upcoming second round, she will face Siniakova, who achieved an upset over 11th-seeded Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1 earlier in the day.
Overall, the first round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open showcased a mix of triumph and adversity as Pliskova and Osorio advanced, while Anisimova and Raducanu faced setbacks.
