Qatar Open: Anisimova beats Alexandrova to make second 1000-level final

Amanda Anisimova won against Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final of the Qatar Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

It is the American’s second 1000-level final, after she reached the showpiece match in Toronto last season, losing to Jessica Pegula.

Anisimova has enjoyed an impressive run in Doha this week, taking down former Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka, as well as in-form Paula Badosa, Leylah Fernandez and Marta Kostyuk.

Alexandrova has herself been in excellent form of late, winning the title in Linz as part of an impressive eight-match winning streak that also propelled her to the semi-finals in the Qatari capital.

But the Russian looked subdued against a dialled-in Anisimova, frequently overpowered by the American in what was a comfortable victory.

Anisimova broke four times to Alexandrova’s one as a more effective return game proved crucial.

Anisimova, ranked No 41, will face Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in the final after the Latvian sensationally took out three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the day’s first semi-final.

Ahead of her victory, the American defeated Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (6-3, 7-5), Spaniard Paula Badosa, the No 9 seed (6-4, 6-3), Canadian Leylah Fernandez (6-3, 6-0) and Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (4-6, 7-5, 6-4).

Alexandrova, ranked No 26, won against wildcard Emma Raducanu (6-3, 7-5), Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed (3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5)), Belgian Elise Mertens (6-4, 6-2) and American Jessica Pegula, the No 6 seed (4-6, 6-1, 6-1) earlier in the tournament.

Doha WTA 1000, other semi-final result (Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, hard, USD 3.664.963):

• Jelena Ostapenko beat Iga Swiatek (2): 6-3, 6-1