DOHA (Azat TV) – The Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026, a prestigious WTA 1000 tournament, saw an early upset on Tuesday, February 10, as reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff was eliminated, while two-time Grand Slam winners Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina advanced with strong performances at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Gauff, one of the tournament’s top contenders, fell in straight sets to world No. 57 Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Her unexpected departure highlights the competitive depth of the Doha event, which runs from February 8 to 14.
Gauff’s Early Exit at Qatar TotalEnergies Open
American star Coco Gauff’s campaign in Doha was cut short following a 5-7, 6-7 loss to Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a tightly contested match. The defeat came after Gauff had endured an exhausting doubles match on Monday, where she partnered with Canada’s Victoria Mboko. According to Sky Sports, Gauff’s fatigue was evident during her singles encounter, contributing to her struggle against the Italian.
Cocciaretto, who admitted her focus was partially divided by cheering for Italian athletes at the ongoing Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, credited her relaxed approach for her strong performance. ‘Maybe that was the key, that’s why I’m playing better,’ she quipped in her on-court interview. This marks a significant upset in the early stages of the WTA 1000 event, removing one of the favorites from contention.
Top Seeds Swiatek, Rybakina Secure Wins
In contrast to Gauff’s struggles, other top seeds demonstrated dominant form. World No. 2 Iga Swiatek made quick work of her second-round opponent, Indonesian Janice Tjen, securing a commanding 6-0, 6-3 victory to advance to the round of 16. Swiatek, a former champion in Doha, attributed her consistent performance to treating every match with utmost importance. ‘I don’t take anything for granted, so even first rounds or second rounds, I treat them as super important matches and as a challenge,’ Swiatek stated. She is set to face Australian Daria Kasatkina next, against whom she holds a formidable 6-1 head-to-head record.
Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina also continued her impressive winning streak, extending it to eight consecutive matches. Ten days after claiming her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne, Rybakina recovered from a 4-2 deficit in the second set to defeat China’s Wang Xinyu 6-2, 6-4. This victory also marked a significant milestone for Rybakina, her 400th career match-win. ‘It’s a lot of matches played. But yeah, it’s incredible. I’m just happy again that I can play and feel happy,’ Rybakina commented on her achievement, emphasizing her current enjoyment of the sport. She is slated to play Qinwen Zheng in the third round.
The Qatar TotalEnergies Open Landscape
The Qatar TotalEnergies Open, a key fixture on the WTA calendar, attracts many of the world’s top female tennis players to Doha. The early rounds of the tournament have already delivered a mix of expected dominance from established champions and surprising upsets from lower-ranked players, setting a dynamic tone for the remainder of the event. The tournament serves as an important early-season test, offering significant ranking points and prize money, making every match crucial for players vying for the coveted title.
The early rounds of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open underscore the unpredictable nature of elite tennis, where even top-ranked players can be vulnerable to in-form opponents, while proven champions demonstrate their ability to navigate challenges with experience and skill.