The first WTA 1000 event of the 2026 season is around the corner as the Qatar Open starts on February 8, with the likes of Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova being among the competitors.
There are some notable absentees, with Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Naomi Osaka, all skipping the tournament. Nonetheless, there are some quality players competing. On that note, let us take a look at how the women’s singles draw at the Qatar Open could unfold.
Qatar Open 2026 Draw Analysis Ft. Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff
Top Half
Świątek has won the Qatar Open more than any other player and she would want to bounce back strongly following her Australian Open quarterfinal exit. The Pole will take on either Janice Tjen or Sorana Cîrstea in the second round, and her potential third-round opponents include 16th seed Elise Mertens, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Daria Kasatkina.
While all three are tricky opponents on their day, Świątek is more than capable of getting the better of them and should make the quarterfinals. Here, she could most likely face Jasmine Paolini, although Linda Nosková should not be written off, neither should Maria Sakkari or Zeynep Sönmez be. However, given the Pole’s recent form and her history in Doha, she should be able to reach the semifinals without too much trouble.
The other part of this half has defending champion Amanda Anisimova and seventh seed Elina Svitolina, who is coming off an impressive Australian Open campaign. These two are the favorites to make it to the quarterfinals but there are others who are also capable of having a good run.
🇶🇦 Doha | WTA 1000 | Main Draw pic.twitter.com/Ohk6HrO4n6
— 🩵 (@VenusGauff) February 6, 2026
14th seed Karolína Muchová is a formidable opponent when fit and can have a deep run in Doha. The Czech could face Alexandra Eala in the second round and that would be an interesting encounter. If she comes out on top, then Anisimova could be her third-round opponent and that would be a sizzling fixture.
Anismova has won both of her prior encounters against Muchová and if she is at her best, she should be able to come out on top and reach the quarterfinals. Here, the American will most probably face Svitolina, someone who has won four out of their five meetings so far, including their most recent encounter at last year’s Canadian Open. However, for now, I am going for Anisimova to get her second win over the Ukrainian and reach the semifinals.
Bottom Half
Fourth seed Coco Gauff will be eager to bounce back from her quarterfinal drubbing at the Australian Open and she should be able to reach the third round without much trouble. Here, she could take on Leylah Fernandez or Liudmila Samsonova, but should be able to triumph over either of the two and reach the quarterfinals.
Eighth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, Paula Badosa, Emma Raducanu, and Clara Tauson are in contention for a spot in the last eight. Tauson and Alexandrova both have four wins out of seven matches so far in 2026, but if the Russian is at her best, she can come out on top and reach the quarterfinals.
Gauff has a 4-1 head-to-head record against Alexandrova, and if they meet in the last eight, there is a good chance of the American coming out on top and booking her place in the semifinals of the Qatar Open.
The other side of this half has Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, along with the likes of Barbora Krejčíková, 10th seed Victoria Mboko, and Diana Shnaider. Andreeva’s path could be a little tricky as she could be up against Krejčíková or Mboko in the third round. However, the Russian should be able to come out on top, albeit with a bit of trouble, and reach the quarterfinals.
Rybakina’s composure has more often than not ensured that she is arguably the best player in the world when at her best, and she should be able to get the better of Andreeva, should the two face one another in the quarterfinals.
Semifinal and Final predictions
The first semifinal in Doha would see Świątek take on Anisimova. The last couple of encounters between the two ended in straight sets, and the Pole might just about get the better of the American due to her record in Doha, and reach another final.
The other semifinal will see Gauff face Rybakina, and the Kazakh would enter the match as the heavy favorite to win. Unless the American produces something special, Rybakina should be able to get the win and reach the final.
Here, she would face Świątek in what would be a repeat of the 2024 final. Rybakina did well to beat the Pole at the Australian Open and given her run of form, she should be able to beat her again and win another title in 2026.
Expected Winner: Elena Rybakina
