**Coco Gauff Stunned in Doha as Cocciaretto Pulls Off Career-Best Win**
Key Takeaways:
- Coco Gauff suffered an early exit at the 2026 Qatar Open, losing in straight sets to Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
- This marks Gauff’s fourth consecutive opening loss in Doha, despite reaching the final last year.
- Cocciaretto advances to the Round of 16 after securing her first win over the world No. 3.
Doha, Qatar — Coco Gauff’s underwhelming start to the 2026 season continued on Wednesday after she was upset by Italian player Elisabetta Cocciaretto in straight sets at the Qatar Open. The American, ranked No. 3 in the world, fell 6-4, 6-2 to the world No. 57 in the second round—adding to a frustrating series of early exits at this WTA 1000 event.
Cocciaretto Shines with Statement Victory
Elisabetta Cocciaretto delivered a composed, aggressive performance to seal a straight-sets win over one of the tour’s elite players. The 23-year-old Italian, who recently won a title in Hobart, showcased precision and poise throughout the match on Doha’s fast hard courts to defeat Gauff in just 89 minutes.
“It is an honour to play her, she is such a great example to me,” Cocciaretto said in her post-match on-court interview, referring to Gauff. “I am really happy to be in the next round here in Doha and to play in front of you guys again.”
This win marked Cocciaretto’s first-ever victory over Gauff in four meetings. In their previous matchups, Gauff had not dropped a single set. The win propels Cocciaretto to the third round in Doha, signaling growing momentum in her 2026 campaign.
Gauff’s Early Season Woes Continue
The loss is part of a frustrating trend for Coco Gauff, who has now lost four consecutive matches at the Qatar Open dating back more than 1,000 days. Despite reaching the final in Doha just last year, she has failed to win a match here since then. Her Middle Eastern form remains a concern, as her record in Dubai is also underwhelming at 7-4 heading into next week’s tournament.
This defeat follows a string of disappointing results to start the season. Gauff fell in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and was unable to help Team USA defend their United Cup title. Most notably, a video showing Gauff smashing her racket after the Australian Open loss recently made the rounds on social media, fueling questions about her mental composure and focus in high-pressure moments.
Although Gauff remains ranked among the world’s elite, losses to lower-ranked players like Cocciaretto, Marta Kostyuk, and Katerina Siniakova raise concerns about her consistency. With expectations high for her to challenge for the world No. 1 spot this year, such setbacks place added pressure on her performance in upcoming tournaments.
Impact on Rankings and the Road Ahead
Gauff’s early Doha exit will have ranking implications. Coming into the Qatar Open ranked No. 3, missing out on crucial WTA 1000 points could see her slip further behind Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in the battle for top billing. If she wants to stay in the hunt for the year-end No. 1 position, Gauff must make an immediate rebound next week at the Dubai Tennis Championships, which kick off on February 16.
For Cocciaretto, the victory not only boosts her confidence but also gives her a prime opportunity to go deep in a high-tier event for the first time. She mentioned her recent title in Hobart helped fuel her form: “I ended up playing 10 straight matches there. Now I’m just trying to keep the momentum going,” she explained. The Italian also hinted at her long-term goals, saying her focus is partly on the Winter Games in Milan, suggesting she may be aiming for multi-sport prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is coco gauff trending?
A: Coco Gauff is trending after suffering an unexpected straight-sets loss to Elisabetta Cocciaretto at the Qatar Open.
Q: What happens next?
A: Gauff will attempt to bounce back at the Dubai Tennis Championships starting on February 16, a critical event for her 2026 points tally.
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