Aryna Sabalenka Suffers Shock Defeat in First Match Since Australian Open Heartbreak
Aryna Sabalenka’s return to action following her heartbreaking Australian Open final defeat to Madison Keys didn’t go as planned, as she fell to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round of the Qatar Open.
The world No. 1 had been looking to bounce back from her Melbourne disappointment but instead suffered another setback, with Alexandrova battling to a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) victory.
“It took a lot of energy and focus. It was a very difficult match to play against her because she’s a fighter and plays every single point no matter what,” Alexandrova said after her win.
“I told myself before the match: ‘You just need to give your maximum tonight, and if you lose, at least you tried everything.’ I’m glad it worked out because it feels amazing right now.”
Swiatek Closing in on Sabalenka’s No. 1 Ranking
Sabalenka’s unexpected exit won’t immediately cost her the No. 1 ranking, but it has opened the door for world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to close the gap. With 1,000 ranking points on offer in Doha, Swiatek could move within just 186 points of Sabalenka if she goes on to win the title.
On a day full of surprises, third seed Coco Gauff was also eliminated, leaving Swiatek as the clear favorite to lift the trophy.
Upsets Shake Up the Qatar Open Draw
Marta Kostyuk delivered another shock by defeating Gauff 6-2, 7-5, setting up a clash with Magda Linette in the next round. The 2023 US Open champion struggled with inconsistency, tallying 39 unforced errors while hitting just eight winners. Kostyuk sealed victory after Gauff committed back-to-back double faults.
“Coco is an incredible fighter. We always have great matches. I tried to stick to my game plan, and I’m very happy it worked out in two sets,” said Kostyuk.
Elsewhere, Ons Jabeur stunned seventh seed Qinwen Zheng, while Amanda Anisimova pulled off an emphatic victory over world No. 10 Paula Badosa.
Swiatek: “Less Pressure” as World No. 2
Swiatek, a three-time Qatar Open champion, reflected on the difference between playing as world No. 1 and chasing the top spot.
“It is a bit less pressure,” she admitted. “Honestly, I try not to focus on the rankings, even when I was No. 1.
“I guess, you know, heavy is the head that wears the crown, so mine was heavy for a long time. For sure, I’ll be fighting to get back to No. 1, but I wouldn’t say it matters during tournaments. Me and Aryna are both great players, and it doesn’t really matter which number is next to our names.”
Despite her past success in Doha, Swiatek downplayed its significance for this year’s event.
“It doesn’t matter what my history at a tournament is—I always try to play my best game and focus on the present,” she said.
“I try not to rely too much on past performances because every year is different. So many things change, and every tournament is its own story. But it is nice to return to a place where you’ve played well before, and hopefully, I can use that experience moving forward.”
With Sabalenka and Gauff out, Swiatek now has a golden opportunity to reclaim the Doha title and inch closer to regaining the world No. 1 spot.
