Karolina Muchova produced a standout performance to upset Victoria Mboko and secure her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open.
It was the 29-year-old’s first WTA 1000 title but one she was not made to work too hard for, taking the first set 6-4 before securing the match via a 7-5 win in the second.
Muchova had lost five finals before this occasion, two of which were WTA 1000 events, but she overcame those previous demons to win.
As for Mboko, her impressive rise in the world of tennis hit a road bump but she still has achieved a place in the top 10 for the first time in her career.
Muchova earned 1000 points for her success in Doha which saw her rise an impressive eight spots up the rankings, going from 19th to 11th.
That takes her just three spots away from career-best of No.8 ahead of the Dubai Championships.
As for Mboko, her semi-final victory confirmed her first entry into the top 10 and the 640 points she earned in Doha sees her just 14 behind No.9’s Elina Svitolina.
Mboko’s previous career best was 13th but her performances in Doha has seen her rise up three spots.
