Qatar Open shaken by early exits as Raducanu and Anisimova withdraw in Doha

Raducanu, ranked No. 25 in the world, made a strong start but faded as the match wore on. World No. 80 Osorio led 2-6, 6-4, 2-0 when Raducanu retired shortly after receiving medical attention on court.

There was close scrutiny on Raducanu's physical condition heading into the match, with the 23-year-old competing just two days after losing the Transylvania Open final in Cluj. She had looked below her best in that WTA 250 final against Sorana Cirstea and referenced "health" concerns following a heavy 6-0, 6-2 defeat in her first final since the 2021 US Open.

Despite those doubts, Raducanu initially appeared fresh against Osorio, whom she had beaten at the Hobart International last month. She controlled much of the opening set in Doha, breaking serve three times and conceding just one break.

Momentum shifted early in the second set, however, with Raducanu coming under sustained pressure on serve. Osorio secured a crucial break midway through the set to level the match and force a decider.

After being broken in the opening game of the third set, Raducanu had her blood pressure taken on court before retiring following a comfortable hold of serve from Osorio.

The withdrawal will be a major frustration for Raducanu, particularly after the positives of her run in Cluj last week. She climbed five places to world No. 25 in Monday's WTA rankingsâ”her highest position since September 2022â”and had the opportunity to push higher with a deep run at the season's first WTA 1000 event.

Elsewhere, defending champion Amanda Anisimova also suffered an early exit in Doha, with the world No. 4 forced to retire from her opening-round match against Karolina Pliskova.

Anisimova had taken the first set but was trailing 5-7, 7-6(3), 4-1 when she withdrew, ending her title defence at the first hurdle and leaving her set to lose her status as the top-ranked American.

Alex Eala's Qatar Open campaign also ended in the opening round, as the Filipina was unable to build on her recent Abu Dhabi Open run. Eala, who reached the quarter-finals of last week's WTA 500 event, was beaten 7-6(6), 6-1 by Czech teenager Tereza Valentova, who had also defeated her in Osaka last October.

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