Karolina Pliskova feels like no time has passed after Doha upset vs. Amanda Anisimova

DOHA, Qatar—Karolina Pliskova was eager to temper expectations around her 2026 comeback when she made her return at the Australian Open.

But those expectations are starting to grow a month later at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, where the former world No. 1 dethroned defending champion Amanda Anisimova in three sets.

A 2017 champion in Doha, the 33-year-old Pliskova appeared poised to win a sixth match out of seven against the American when Anisimova was forced to retire due to illness. Still, the result marks a first Top 10 victory since 2024 and for a player who missed nearly all of 2025 due to injury, the Czech veteran is starting to feel like no time has passed.

Q. In Australia, you weren’t sure how far this comeback would take you or where you would go, but making the third round in Melbourne and playing well here, do you feel differently about being back on tour now?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Not differently. I feel like everything is back to like it was five years ago or so! (laughs) Obviously, I didn’t know how the start would be. I was planning to start in Brisbane, didn’t happen. Then Adelaide didn’t happen. So, I wasn’t sure how the matches would go or how my body would react. Since I played a couple matches, I feel like, with every match it’s getting a little bit better. Let’s see tomorrow. Of course, with these loner matches, I think I’ll still feel it a little bit. But that’s what I need at the moment.

So, I’m happy with my comeback overall because it’s not easy, especially to come back at big tournaments where the level is great. I’m not seeded anywhere, so I’m playing good players in the first round. I think I’m doing ok.

Back into the Top 300 with her run in Doha, Pliskova could leap up another 100 spots in the WTA rankings should she win an all-Czech third round against either No. 14 seed Karolina Muchova or qualifier Tereza Valentova, who eased past Alexandra Eala earlier on Monday.