Shock in Qatar Open: Ekaterina Alexandrova stuns World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three-set thriller
WTA
Ekaterina Alexandrova came from a set down to defeat Aryna Sabalenka in the second round of the Qatar Open, winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-6. The world No. 1 faced a determined opponent and was not at her best in her first appearance since losing the Australian Open final.
Sabalenka had a tough challenge against the world No. 26, who came into the match inspired and on a six-match winning streak after capturing the WTA 250 Linz Open title. In the first round, Alexandrova had avenged her previous loss to Emma Raducanu (6-3, 7-5), proving herself to be a formidable opponent.
The opening set saw both players holding serve confidently until Sabalenka secured the first break in the fourth game, taking a 3-1 lead. Alexandrova pushed for a break of her own, creating several chances, but the three-time Grand Slam champion held firm. After missing a set point at 5-3 on Alexandrova’s serve, Sabalenka returned with determination and closed out the set 6-3 after 51 minutes. The Belarusian was impressive, saving seven break points while converting one of two break chances and winning 93% of points on her first serve.
In the second set, Alexandrova improved her return game, winning 47% of points on Sabalenka’s first serve and 60% on her second. She raced to a 2-0 lead, but the world No. 1 quickly responded, breaking back to level the set. Both players had further chances, but the Linz champion seized control to take the set 6-3 and force a decider.
Sabalenka led twice in the final set, breaking for 2-1 and later extending her lead to 4-2. However, Alexandrova remained composed, breaking back both times to level at 4-4. From there, neither player could find another break, sending the match into a tiebreak. The Russian capitalized on an early lead in the breaker and closed out the victory 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).
In the Round of 16, Alexandrova will face Belgium’s Elise Mertens, who has already knocked out Clara Tauson and Cristina Bucsa.
WHAT AN UPSET 😱
— wta (@WTA) February 11, 2025
Ekaterina Alexandrova has knocked out the World No. 1 in Doha, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5)!#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/uQS0wlneMI
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mandoist11-02-2025 - Hard to believe Emma "understands" all that much about the rigors of a prioritized Life in tennis.mandoist11-02-2025
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- Creepy.mandoist07-02-2025
- Ouch!!mandoist07-02-2025
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- This is just getting beyond ridiculous!! Not to mention unsportsmanlike and unfair to serious up & coming contenders.mandoist06-02-2025
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- It sounds seriously absurd that in Davis Cup, (unlike Grand Slams such as the Aus Open), medical time outs off court with the medical staff are not allowed?? I mean, if this was an Aus Open match, and the same thing happened to Gurin then, he would have been able to go off court for official medical time out and make an informed decision whether to resume the match or retire. How come such conditions do not apply in Davis Cup?? I mean, there with Davis Cup, it is even more like a soccer match or basketball game in that teams are playing. And so as with those, it ought to be the case in tennis that if a player needs serious medical time out, then one of the other team mates ought to substitute and each team needs to have stand-ins or understudies in case substitution is needed which will be rare but as we can see here, this kind of circumstance fits. But even if the teams do not go down the road of subbing other team mates in, in case of a health issue like the one which played out here, at least, as in the Aus Open and other Grand Slams, there ought to be time-outs with the health professionals and at the conclusion of these time-outs, the particular decision that has been reached between them and the player needs to be taken on board by the umpire. PERIOD.
Sueiyin04-02-2025
