Defending Champion Anisimova Forced to Retire as Pliskova Advances in Doha Thriller

Czech veteran Karolina Pliskova reached the round of 16 at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha on Monday after defending champion Amanda Anisimova was forced to retire due to illness. The third-seeded American withdrew while trailing 5-7, 7-6(3), 4-1 in a match that had stretched over two hours and 22 minutes of compelling tennis on the Doha hard courts.

Anisimova appeared to be cruising toward a comfortable defense of her title when she claimed the opening set 7-5 and raced to a commanding 3-0 lead in the second set. The 23-year-old American was striking the ball cleanly and seemed to have solved the puzzle posed by Pliskova, the 33-year-old Czech who is currently ranked No. 418 as she continues her comeback from a long-term ankle injury that has kept her away from the upper echelons of the game.

However, the complexion of the match changed dramatically as the second set progressed. Pliskova, drawing on her vast experience and former world No. 1 ranking, refused to surrender and began to find her range. The Czech clawed her way back into the set, eventually forcing a tiebreak that would prove to be the turning point of the entire encounter. Pliskova dominated the breaker, claiming it 7-3 to level the match and shift the momentum decisively in her favor.

As the third set commenced, it became increasingly apparent that Anisimova was struggling physically. The American had confirmed earlier in the day that she had "got sick" during her time in Doha and was not feeling her best. Despite her obvious discomfort, Anisimova battled on, but Pliskova continued to apply pressure, breaking serve and building a 4-1 advantage. At that point, with her health deteriorating and facing an increasingly uphill battle, Anisimova made the difficult decision to retire from the match to avoid putting her wellbeing at further risk.

For Pliskova, the victory represents another positive step in her remarkable comeback journey. The former Grand Slam finalist, who had defeated Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round, showed the fighting qualities that once made her one of the most feared competitors on tour. Her ability to weather the early storm and gradually impose herself on the match demonstrated that her competitive instincts remain razor-sharp despite her extended absence from elite competition.

Pliskova now advances to an all-Czech "derby" in the round of 16, where she will face either 14th seed Karolina Muchova or rising teenager Tereza Valentova. The winner of that encounter will be determined shortly, setting up an intriguing domestic rivalry in the next round. For Anisimova, the premature end to her title defense will be a bitter disappointment, though the priority now must be recovering her health and returning to full fitness for the remainder of the season.