Doha crowned, Anisimova eliminated by Kessler in the first round in Dubai
Amanda Anisimova has just had the best week of her career.
The American won the WTA 1000 in Doha, defeating Azarenka, Badosa, Fernandez, Kostyuk, Alexandrova and Ostapenko in the final.
But one match after another finally got the better of the 23-year-old. Entering the Dubai tournament this week, Anisimova was unable to confirm her position.
Up against her compatriot McCartney Kessler, the new WTA world No.18 started off as the favorite, but the fatigue accumulated in Qatar took its toll.
In the end, Kessler, who won the Hobart tournament at the start of the season, prevailed in two sets (6-2, 6-3) and will face another American, Coco Gauff, in the second round.
Like Doha finalist Jelena Ostapenko, Anisimova failed to progress beyond the first round in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier in the day, the Latvian also lost in her first round in Dubai, to Moyuka Uchijima (6-3, 6-3), ranked 68th in the world.
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