Anisimova sweeps to maiden WTA 1000 title after 'hard work and tears'
Amanda Anisimova clinched the first WTA 1000 title of her career with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jelena Ostapenko in a rain-interrupted Qatar Open final on Saturday, a triumph achieved after a "lot of hard work and a lot of tears".
At 41 in the world, Anisimova is the lowest-ranked champion in tournament history and the first American to claim the Doha title since Monica Seles in 2002.
Ostapenko was coming off a resounding victory over three-time champion and world number two Iga Swiatek in the previous round but Anisimova gave the Latvian a taste of her own medicine, showcasing incredible ball-striking and precision.
"This week has been amazing. To be able to lift the trophy here for my first WTA 1000 is super special," said Anisimova, who will make her top-20 debut on Monday, rising to a career-high 18 in the world.
