WTA Doha: Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu aim to meet tonight, Anisimova withdraws and loses her title defense

On February 9th Beijing time, the first round of the WTA1000 Doha event unfolded, with former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova making a successful return from injury. She was rewarded with a retirement from defending champion Anisimova while leading 5-7/7-6(3)/4-1. This is Pliskova’s first win against a top 10 player since her comeback. After this match, her singles ranking climbed back up to 265. In a post-match interview, she said: “I didn’t want to win this way. The first two sets were very competitive, and I’m lucky to advance. I hope she is not seriously hurt.”

Anisimova

Karolina Pliskova Photo: Visual China

In other matches at Doha, fifth seed Andreyeva defeated Linette 7-6(0)/6-1; Raducanu retired while trailing 6-2/4-6/0-2 against Osorio; Ostapenko, Noskova, Sakari, and others advanced as well.

In doubles, wildcard pair Wang Xinyu/Zheng Saisai lost 5-7/6-7(2) to Fernandez/Meladnovic in the first round. The Chinese duo Yang Zhaoxuan/Xu Yifan fought hard in three sets but eventually fell 6-4/2-6/6-10 to the Australian team Hunter/Chont

WTA1000 Doha Schedule for February 10th

Tonight Beijing time, the second round of singles at Doha will begin. Chinese player Zheng Qinwen will face American Parks, while Wang Xinyu will challenge the new Australian Open champion Rybakina. Both aim to meet each other in the next round.

(Written by: Sunny)