In a surprising turn of events at the Qatar Open, world number one Aryna Sabalenka and third-ranked Coco Gauff were both eliminated in the second round of this WTA 1000 event in Doha.

Sabalenka’s Upset by Alexandrova

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, was defeated by Ekaterina Alexandrova in a thrilling three-set match. The Russian, ranked 26th globally, fought back from a break down twice in the final set to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6. Alexandrova showcased remarkable resilience, holding her serve in crucial moments and clinching the tie-break in the deciding set. This victory follows her triumph in Austria last week, and she now advances to face Elise Mertens in the last 16.

Gauff’s Struggles Against Kostyuk

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, was outplayed by Marta Kostyuk in straight sets, losing 6-2, 7-5 in just 73 minutes. Gauff, who received a bye in the first round, struggled with her serve, committing seven double faults and 39 unforced errors. This marks her second consecutive defeat since her loss to Paula Badosa in the Australian Open quarter-finals last month.

Other Key Matches

The tournament also saw strong performances from other top players. Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, defeated Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4, while Jasmine Paolini, last year’s Wimbledon and French Open runner-up, overcame Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-4. Ons Jabeur continued her resurgence with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 win against world number eight Qinwen Zheng, setting up a clash with Sofia Kenin.

Rising Stars Shine

Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova rallied from a set down to beat 12th seed Mirra Andreeva 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, showcasing her fighting spirit. Additionally, Linda Noskova secured a spot in the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Yulia Putintseva, where she will face three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek.

The Qatar Open continues to deliver high-intensity matches, with several underdogs making their mark and top seeds facing unexpected challenges.