Share

American Anisimova stuns Svitolina in Doha

Doha - Underdog Amanda Anisimova usurped No.5 seed Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-3 in the second round at the Doha WTA Open on Monday.

The American teenager took just over an hour to dispatch her Ukrainian rival, who was a semi-finalist at both Wimbledon and Roland Garros last season.

"I love playing here, I love this stadium and the crowd is just great, so I'm glad I get to see everyone again in the next round," said Anisimova after registering her first win over a top 10 rival since the French Open last May.

Anisimova had to save two break points in the third game of the first set before holding. She then broke in the next game.

The World No.29 was under similar pressure in the second set but held on.

In the next round she will play either Svetlana Kuznetsova or and Polish teenager Iga Swiatek.

Recent finalist at Dubai, Elena Rybakina came from a set down against Sorana Cirstea to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a first-round match.

"Hopefully I can keep making finals and finally win another," the 20-year-old Kazakh said after her win.

Rybakina twice fell a break of serve behind before the Romanian closed out the opening set.

Her thunderous backhand swung the match and she will meet Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck in the next round.

A string of lower seeds fell in the first round on Monday.

American Allison Riske, seeded 13, fell to compatriot Jennifer Brady 7-6 (12/10), 1-6, 7-6 (7/3) in a match that lasted 2 hours and 47 minutes.

Croatian Petra Martic, a semifinalist in Dubai last week and seeded 10, lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to Czech Barbora Strycova. Croatian 17th seed Donna Vekic lost 6-4, 7-5 to Pole Iga Swiatek

Marketa Vondrousova, a Czech seeded 12, won the first set but the subsided 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Saisai Cheng of China.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE