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Coco Gauff is the Latest Star Upset in Qatar Open

Coco Gauff is the latest star played to suffer an early exit at the Qatar Open.
Pat Benson|
Coco Gauff lost in the first round of the 2026 Qatar Open.
Coco Gauff lost in the first round of the 2026 Qatar Open. | IMAGO / Naushad

After just a few days of action at the 2026 Qatar Open, there has been no shortage of surprising results in the first WTA Masters 1000 event of the year.

The fourth-seeded Coco Gauff received a first-round bye, only to lose a shocking defeat in the second round. On Tuesday, WTA world No. 57 Elisabetta Cocciaretto defeated Gauff in straight sets: 6-4, 6-2.

Gauff's serve was not the problem, as she landed 80% of her first serves. However, Cocciaretto broke Gauff 4/12 times and capitalized on Gauff's 39 unforced errors.

Cocciaretto was all smiles after notching the third top-ten win of her career, thanking the crowd and voicing her support for Italy in the Winter Olympics.

According to The Tennis Letter, Cocciaretto said after the match, "I think this week it's a bit different for us in Italy. Now I'm more focused on the Winter Olympics than for the tournament. Maybe cheering for the Italian athletes is the key, that's why I'm playing better maybe."

Now, Cocciaretto will face Ann Li in the Round of 16. From there, the field is wide open thanks to a handful of surprising results. Amanda Anisimova, Jasmine Paolini, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Linda Noskova, and Emma Raducanu are just some of the big names to suffer early exits.

While upsets have defined the first few days in Doha, it is too early to expect a Cinderella story. Several top-ranked players are still left in the draw. Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Victoria Mboko, and Qinwen Zheng are well-positioned for a strong run.

We are yet to hear from Gauff after the shocking defeat. However, the 21-year-old always manages to maintain a healthy perspective on the maelstrom of each tennis season.

It was a disappointing loss for Gauff, who has not won a match in Doha since 2023. The top-ranked American will now travel to Dubai for another Masters 1000 event on the outdoor hard courts in the United Arab Emirates.

The 2026 Qatar TotalEnergies Open runs through Saturday, February 14. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Serve On SI for all of your tennis news from the court and beyond.

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Alexandra Eala's historic day did not last long in Doha.

Emma Raducanu was upbeat despite the tough loss in the Transylvania Open final.

BOSS has announced plans for activations and apparel drops at the Dallas Open.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are dealing with social media drama.

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Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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