Amanda Anisimova’s hopes of defending her Qatar Open crown came to a sudden halt on Monday, as the American was forced to retire mid-match against Karolína Plíšková. Locked in a tense first-round battle in Doha, Anisimova pulled the plug while trailing 5-7, 7-6(3), 4-1, marking a disappointing early exit for the reigning champion.

Anisimova retired at 1-4 down in the deciding set after calling for the physio and tournament doctor while trailing 1-2. After losing the second-set tie-break and falling behind early in the third, the American had her blood pressure checked and was visibly struggling to move and chase balls. Unable to continue, she became the second player of the day to retire mid-match, following Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal just minutes earlier. The defending champion bowed out in the round of 32, unable to protect the 1,000 ranking points she earned last year.

The American had arrived in Doha facing the difficult task of defending the biggest title of her career. Anisimova lifted her maiden WTA 1000 trophy at the 2025 Qatar Open after impressive wins over Paula Badosa, Leylah Fernandez, and Marta Kostyuk, before defeating Jeļena Ostapenko in the final. This year, she returned as the third seed and one of the clear favorites - especially after world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrew before the tournament began. However, her early exit now confirms she will drop several places in the rankings, officially falling out of the Top Five after five months.

For Pliskova, the win continued a one-sided rivalry that has consistently troubled Amanda Anisimova. The former Czech world No. 1 claimed her sixth victory over the American, extending her dominant 6–1 head-to-head record and further cementing her status as Anisimova’s most difficult opponent.

What did Karolina Pliskova say after the match, though? Let’s find out.

Karolina Pliskova shares thoughts about the abrupt ending to her epic battle against Amanda Anisimova

Despite her tough history against Pliskova, Anisimova made a strong start. The American broke early and surged to a 4-1 lead behind solid serving, taking advantage of Pliskova’s lack of match rhythm. The Czech, currently ranked World No. 418 following a long injury layoff, initially struggled to find her range.

However, Pliskova gradually settled, winning three games in a row and saving two set points to level at 5-5. Just as momentum appeared to swing, Anisimova raised her level again, securing a decisive break in the 12th game - on her fourth set-point opportunity - to clinch the opening set.

The second set followed a familiar pattern early on, with Anisimova racing to a 3-0 lead after capitalizing on issues with Pliskova’s second serve. But errors soon crept into the American’s game, seemingly linked to emerging physical discomfort. Pliskova seized the opportunity, breaking twice and winning four consecutive games to turn the set around.

Although Anisimova managed to recover one break, the set was decided in a tiebreak. There, Pliskova proved more effective on serve and closed it out 7-6(3), pushing the contest into a decider.

Early in the third set, Anisimova’s physical struggles became increasingly evident. Her movement dipped, errors mounted, and Pliskova stuck to her game plan, serving efficiently and breaking when the chance arose. Realizing she could no longer sustain the intensity, Anisimova opted to retire, ending her title defense in Doha prematurely.

After the match, Karolina Pliskova said, “This is not how you want to win. Although I felt like we played good tennis for those two sets. It went long, so of course you start to feel it in the body. I also started to feel it, but luckily I’m through to the next round. I hope she’s gonna be okay for the next week.”

Amanda Anisimova also shared her thoughts in her post-match interview. “I was really happy to be back and excited to play,” Anisimova said in a statement afterward. “I got sick here, so I wasn’t feeling my best, but I thought it was a good match regardless. I feel we both played really well. Congrats to her; it’s good to see her back playing.”

Do you think Anisimova can make a strong comeback from this setback in Doha? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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