The gate is not opening because there is no one else ready at that time.
Having a queue that is a PvE instance is brain dead dumb. It inherently limits the number of matches that can occur.
Having instanced PvP in a sandbox game is dumb, it takes away from the space PvP.
Having 1v1 instanced PvP is the dumbest of all, the only reason the balance issues are not over the top is it takes a certain fit to even get to the PvP.
The only real course of action is to remove it.