Anisimova and Ostapenko Falter in Dubai After Doha Success

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The challenge proved too arduous for Amanda Anisimova and Jelena Ostapenko, as the finalists from Saturday’s Qatar Open Masters 1000 struggled to maintain their momentum in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Ostapenko, fresh off her defeat in the Doha final, succumbed to Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. Uchijima will now face Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina in the next round.

Anisimova, victorious in Doha, also suffered a setback, losing to fellow American McCartney Kessler in two sets 6-2, 6-3. Like Ostapenko, the newly minted top-20 American appeared physically drained and unable to summon the energy required to secure a victory. Kessler will face compatriot Coco Gauff in the subsequent round.

Physical Fatigue a Factor

Both Ostapenko and Anisimova acknowledged the toll that the grueling Doha tournament had taken on their bodies.

"I didn’t have enough time to recover physically and mentally," Ostapenko said. "I was feeling it today, especially in the second set."

Anisimova echoed those sentiments: "I’m still feeling a little bit tired from Doha. I tried my best, but I just didn’t have the energy today."

Opponent Analysis

Uchijima, ranked No. 133 in the world, played with great determination and precision against Ostapenko. The Japanese player consistently forced her opponent into awkward positions, exploiting her fatigue and securing the victory in just over an hour.

Kessler, ranked No. 101, showcased a similar level of tenacity against Anisimova. The American controlled the majority of the rallies, overpowering Anisimova with her crisp groundstrokes and accurate serving.

Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Tournament

While Anisimova and Ostapenko will be disappointed with their early exits, both players expressed a positive outlook for the remainder of the season.

"I’m going to take some time to rest and recover," Anisimova said. "I’m confident that I can bounce back and have a good run in the upcoming tournaments."

Ostapenko also expressed optimism: "I need to work on my physical condition and be more prepared for these kinds of back-to-back tournaments."

Gauff and Rybakina Advance

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina, both seeded in the Dubai tournament, won their respective matches in straight sets to advance to the second round.

Gauff, the No. 4 seed, defeated qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-3, while Rybakina, the No. 6 seed, overcame wildcard Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-4.

The Dubai Tennis Championships continue with a full slate of matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The tournament is an important preparation event for the upcoming Grand Slam season, and the top players in the world will be eager to secure victories and build momentum.