It’s time for experience versus youth in Doha! Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka is all set to face America’s Amanda Anisimova in the first round (R64) of the 2025 Qatar Open. Azarenka won back-to-back titles in the 2012 and the 2013 season. While Anisimova’s best record in this tournament has been reaching the third round in 2020. So, on one side the 35-year-old Azarenka has nothing to prove but a lot to gain and on the other side, the 23-year-old American is desperate to put her name on the headlines by upsetting the former world number one in Doha. Will experience prevail, or can Anisimova pull off a huge upset against the former world number one?

Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova: Preview

Victoria Azarenka started the 2024 season with an SF run at the Brisbane International and then after that, she made it to the QF in last year’s Qatar Open. However, in that QF match, she was defeated by Iga Swiatek by 4-6,0-6! Although Victoria Azarenka made quite a few SF and QF runs last year, she failed to clinch a title last year. In 2025, we’re yet to see the best of this Belarusian superstar.

She reached the R16 at the Brisbane International but in that match she went down to Marie Bouzkova (CZE) in two sets. She’ll be entering this contest following her first-round exit from the 2025 AO. Can the two-time Grand Slam champion bounce back from that disappointing result against Lucia Bronzetti (ITA) in Melbourne?

Her opponent, Amanda Anisimova, was seen struggling a bit in the initial phases of the 2024 season. However, she made a strong comeback in the later phase! Anisimova reached the QF at the Citi Open and even made it to the final at the Canadian Open. Jessica Pegula defeated her in that final match in a three-set thriller. Apart from that, it was a pretty much ordinary year for the American. However, she did make a strong start to her campaign in 2025.

She did reach the quarterfinals in Hobart, but injuries have really been holding her back lately. Right after her second-round loss to Emma Raducanu at the 2025 Australian Open, she had to withdraw from the Singapore Open. So, the big question is: will she be healthy enough to take on a tough competitor like Victoria Azarenka?

Azarenka vs Anisimova: Head-to-Head

Victoria Azarenka has faced Amanda Anisimova two times in her career so far and currently, the H2H record is well poised at 1-1. So, this match is surely going to be very interesting!

• 2023 Dubai R32: Azarenka 4-6,6-4,7-6(5).
• 2022 Madrid R16: Anisimova 6-1,6-4.

Prediction: Azarenka to win three sets

Beating the two-time champion is surely going to be a mammoth task for this young American. Both Victoria Azarenka and Amanda Anisimova are in desperate need of some wins to gain some momentum for the rest of the hardcourt swing. Talking about wins, if we take a look at their records from the previous season, Victoria Azarenka (30) had a win-loss record of 30-15. On the other side, Amanda Anisimova (40) had a win-loss record of just 17-12!

Now, if we take a look at their playing styles, Victoria Azarenka is more of an aggressive baseliner who’s known for hitting the ball hard, flat, and early on the rise. Despite hitting her groundstrokes with some incredible power and depth, she aims to move her opponents around the court, counter-punching until she can create the opportunity to hit a low-risk winner.

Victoria Azrenka’s biggest weapon is her two-handed backhand, and she’s often seen using it to dominate her opponents. Her signature shot is her backhand down-the-line. Although Azarenka possesses a decent first serve, she is prone to committing a high number of double faults. She hit 125 aces last season but committed 183 double faults! So, this is one of the biggest worries for the Belarusian at the moment.

On the other hand, Amanda Anisimova is also an aggressive baseliner. She can also hit powerful groundstrokes from both wings. Interestingly, Anisimova’s two-handed backhand is one of her lethal weapons and she often tends to hit winners with her backhand down-the-line shots. Her quick footwork and her ability to secure points by playing longer rallies make him a real threat against any opponent. She is also one of the finest returners of the serve.

Victoria Azarenka needs to watch out for Anisimova’s unique ability to neutralize powerful serves with her cross-court inside-out forehand or a backhand down-the-line shot. However, considering the amount of experience the Belarusian has on the tour, I feel, she might find a formula to seal the deal in the first match against a relatively inexperienced campaigner like Anisimova.