DOHA, QATAR – Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament’s top seed and World No. 1, had to dig deep to secure a place in the Round of 16 at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2025. In a thrilling contest, Sabalenka fought back from a set down to overcome Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
The opening set saw Sabalenka display her signature power game, hitting four aces and breaking Alexandrova’s serve early on. The Belarusian cruised to a 6-3 victory, controlling the tempo with her aggressive groundstrokes.
However, Alexandrova responded brilliantly in the second set. The Russian, known for her resilient style of play, found a way to neutralize Sabalenka’s attacking game. She capitalized on the Belarusian’s unforced errors, including double faults, and broke serve to win the set 6-3. At this point, the match was finely balanced, and the momentum seemed to shift toward Alexandrova.
The deciding set proved to be a test of mental strength for both players. Despite Alexandrova’s strong fight, Sabalenka showed the grit and composure that has made her one of the tour’s most formidable competitors. She saved several break points and held her serve under pressure. Alexandrova had her chances, but Sabalenka took full advantage of key moments, breaking serve at 5-5 and eventually serving out the match to win 7-5.
“I’m happy with the way I fought back in the third set,” Sabalenka said after her win. “It wasn’t easy, especially after losing the second set. But I stayed focused and managed to push through.”
The match stats emphasized Sabalenka’s strength in serving, with a 56% first-serve win rate, including four aces. Alexandrova struggled with her first serve percentage at just 56%, a factor that Sabalenka exploited when breaking serve at critical moments.
With the win, Sabalenka advances to the next round, where she will face another challenging opponent. This victory solidifies her as a strong contender for the title as she looks to retain her top-ranking position in the WTA standings.
The Qatar TotalEnergies Open is always a high-stakes event, attracting top players from around the world. With Sabalenka’s impressive win, the competition in Doha continues to heat up, as she sets her sights on capturing another prestigious title.
The match was a testament to Sabalenka’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, setting up an exciting second-round matchup in this year’s tournament.
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