Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto Stuns Fourth Seed Coco Gauff in Straight Sets at Qatar Open to Reach WTA 1000 Last 16

Elisabetta Cocciaretto delivered the performance of her career on Monday at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha, stunning fourth seed Coco Gauff in straight sets to advance to the last 16 of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time. The Italian lucky loser, who entered the main draw after another player's withdrawal, capitalized on her unexpected opportunity with a composed and aggressive display that overwhelmed the American star.

Cocciaretto's victory marked one of the biggest upsets of the early rounds at the prestigious WTA 1000 event in the Qatari capital. The world No. 51 showed no signs of being intimidated by Gauff's superior ranking or recent success, playing with freedom and taking the attack to the 22-year-old American throughout the match. Her straight-sets triumph demonstrated the depth of talent on the women's tour and the unpredictability that makes WTA tennis so compelling.

Gauff, who has established herself as one of the sport's brightest young stars, struggled to find her rhythm against Cocciaretto's aggressive baseline game. The fourth seed's usually reliable serve came under consistent pressure, and she was unable to impose her own game plan on the Italian. The upset continues a somewhat inconsistent start to 2026 for Gauff, who will need to regroup quickly as the season progresses toward the spring hardcourt swing and clay court season.

For Cocciaretto, the victory represents a career breakthrough at the highest level of women's tennis outside the Grand Slams. The 26-year-old from Ancona, Italy, has long been considered a talented player capable of competing with the elite when at her best. Monday's performance in Doha validated that assessment and announced her arrival as a genuine threat in WTA 1000 tournaments, not merely a dangerous floater in earlier rounds.

The Qatar Open has already produced several compelling storylines in its early rounds, with defending champion Amanda Anisimova forced to retire against Karolina Pliskova due to illness, and several other seeded players tested by determined opponents. Cocciaretto's giant-killing act adds to the tournament's drama and sets up an intriguing last-16 clash where she'll face another formidable opponent with confidence sky-high.

Cocciaretto's run from lucky loser to last-16 participant mirrors similar breakthrough performances throughout tennis history, where players given unexpected main draw opportunities have seized the moment. As she prepares for her next match, the Italian will look to prove that her upset of Gauff was no fluke and that she belongs among the world's elite on the sport's biggest stages outside the four majors.