Paolini, Rybakina lead Top 10 seeds to Doha last 16; Anisimova ousts Badosa

Paolini, Rybakina Lead Top 10 Seeds to Doha Last 16; Anisimova Stuns Badosa in Thriller

The action at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha is heating up, and the competition is fiercer than ever as the top seeds navigate their way through the draw. Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina, two of the Top 10 seeds, continued their impressive runs to book their spots in the last 16. Meanwhile, American star Amanda Anisimova delivered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, stunning Paula Badosa in a high-intensity battle.

Paolini’s Consistency Shines Through

Jasmine Paolini has been one of the most improved players on the WTA Tour over the past year, and her steady rise in the rankings is no coincidence. The Italian, known for her incredible foot speed and counterpunching ability, overcame a tricky test in her Round of 32 match, dispatching Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.

Paolini’s baseline control and shot selection were on point, neutralizing Van Uytvanck’s powerful groundstrokes. Despite a late surge from her opponent in the second set, the Italian kept her composure to close out the match efficiently.

“I feel like I’m playing with a lot more confidence this season. Every match is a test, and I’m just enjoying my time on the court,” Paolini said after her win.

With her place secured in the last 16, she now faces a tough challenge against the seventh seed Maria Sakkari, who survived a three-set battle of her own. Paolini’s ability to grind out points and extend rallies will be key against the aggressive Greek powerhouse.

Rybakina’s Dominance Continues

Elena Rybakina has firmly established herself as one of the most formidable players on tour, and she showed no signs of slowing down in Doha. The reigning Wimbledon champion produced a masterclass in her opening match, dismantling former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour.

Rybakina’s serve was the star of the show, as she fired eight aces and won over 80% of her first-serve points. Fernandez, a strong defensive player, struggled to find solutions against the Kazakh’s relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy.

“I knew she’d make me work for every point, so I had to stay aggressive and take my chances early in the rallies,” Rybakina explained post-match.

Up next, Rybakina will take on Jelena Ostapenko, a player who is always a threat with her fearless ball-striking. If Rybakina maintains her current form, she’ll be one of the favorites to lift the Doha title.

Anisimova’s Stunning Comeback Sends Badosa Packing

One of the most thrilling matches of the tournament so far saw Amanda Anisimova pull off a sensational upset against former world No. 2 Paula Badosa. The American, playing her best tennis since returning to the tour, battled from a set down to defeat Badosa 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in a match filled with breathtaking rallies and high drama.

Badosa came out firing, using her aggressive baseline game to dictate play and snatch the opening set. However, Anisimova refused to back down, raising her level in the second set and showcasing her powerful shot-making. The tiebreak was a nail-biter, with Anisimova staying mentally strong to edge out the Spaniard and force a decider.

In the final set, the 22-year-old American’s resilience shone through as she broke Badosa late in the set and held her nerve to close out the victory.

“This win means a lot to me. Paula is such a great competitor, and I just had to fight for every single point,” Anisimova said in her on-court interview.

With this win, Anisimova moves into the last 16, where she will face sixth seed Ons Jabeur. Given her recent form, she could be a dangerous dark horse in the tournament.

Other Key Results and What’s Next in Doha

• Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and reigning Australian Open champion, cruised into the next round with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 win over Petra Martic. Her power game remains unmatched, making her the player to beat in Doha.
• Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, had a smooth entry into the tournament, dismantling Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-1. Swiatek’s clay-like dominance on hard courts makes her a heavy favorite for the title.
• Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, battled through a tough three-setter against Beatriz Haddad Maia, eventually prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
• Maria Sakkari had to dig deep against Anastasia Potapova, rallying from a set down to secure a hard-fought victory.

With the last 16 set, the Doha tournament promises more high-stakes matchups and thrilling encounters. Can Paolini and Rybakina continue their strong runs? Will Anisimova pull off another upset? And who will emerge as the ultimate champion?

Stay tuned for more action as the stars of the WTA Tour battle for supremacy in Qatar!