Anisimova rules Qatar Open

DOHA — 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.