The WTA Doha Open kicked off with shocks and surprises, as two of the tournament's top players, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, faced stunning early exits. The unexpected results have shaken up the competition, leaving fans and analysts reeling.
Former US Open champion Coco Gauff was on the receiving end of a dramatic defeat, losing to Marta Kostyuk with scores of 6-2, 7-5. Gauff struggled throughout the match, serving up seven double faults and dropping serve multiple times, leading her to trail 4-1 early on. Kostyuk capitalized on Gauff's erratic performance, securing the first set comfortably and continuing to apply pressure as Gauff attempted to find her rhythm.
"Coco is an incredible fighter," Kostyuk stated after her victory. "We always have incredible matches. I tried to stick to what I had to do." Despite briefly battling back and taking the lead at 4-2 in the second set, Gauff faltered, eventually broken for the fifth time. Kostyuk expressed her relief at the win, acknowledging how Gauff’s double faults facilitated her victory: "The double faults made it easier for me... I'm very happy it ended in two sets."
Later on the same day, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka faced her own shocking defeat at the hands of Ekaterina Alexandrova. The world number 26 pulled off the upset, overcoming the Australian Open finalist with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5). This result was particularly surprising, as it marked the second elimination of a top-three player from the tournament. The match showcased Sabalenka's difficulty to mount a comeback, especially under pressure from Alexandrova, who proved to be the more resilient competitor.
The defeat of Sabalenka dealt another significant blow to the tournament, raising eyebrows and sparking discussion among tennis enthusiasts. Reflecting on her unexpected defeat, the stunned fans could hardly grasp the turn of events: "It was totally unexpected. The world number 1 bids farewell in her debut," commented sources following the match. With both Gauff and Sabalenka out, the tournament is now wide open for other contenders to make their mark.
Other matches during this round also brought noteworthy developments. Elena Rybakina, the fifth seed, navigated her match against Peyton Stearns successfully, winning 6-2, 6-4. Despite stumbling after leading 5-0 and missing three match points, the former Wimbledon champion managed to secure victory, setting herself for potential clashes against other rising talents.
On the women’s side, Ons Jabeur, who triumphed over Chinese seventh seed Zheng Qinwen with scores of 6-4, 6-2, celebrated her first win against a top-10 opponent since last year’s Madrid Open. "I’m glad to finally be back to winning against higher-ranked players," Jabeur remarked post-match. Her victory positions her well to face Sofia Kenin next, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Paolini continued her positive momentum, winning against Caroline Garcia (6-3, 6-4) as she seeks to build on last year's impressive performances, including reaching the finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon. American sixth seed Jessica Pegula also progressed, overcoming Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6, showcasing her resilience and determination.
The early rounds of the WTA Doha Open have proven to be nothing short of thrilling, as upsets abound and new narratives emerge. The absence of Gauff and Sabalenka opens new doors for other competitors desperately vying for success on the tour. With each match carrying high stakes, the tournament's future rounds promise more surprises, making it one to watch.