Anna Kalinskaya Stuns Emma Navarro in Three-Set Thriller to Reach Qatar Open Round of 16

Anna Kalinskaya delivered a stunning three-set victory over American Emma Navarro at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, defeating the rising American star 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 to advance to the round of 16. The match, which lasted over two hours on the hard courts of Doha, showcased both players' fighting spirit in a contest that swung dramatically from set to set.

The Russian player started strong, claiming the opening set 7-5 after a tightly contested battle that saw both players hold serve through most of the set. Kalinskaya's aggressive baseline play and powerful groundstrokes proved effective early on, as she managed to break Navarro's serve at a crucial moment late in the first set. The momentum appeared firmly in the Russian's favor heading into the second set.

However, Navarro, known for her resilience and mental toughness, completely turned the match around in the second set. The American dominated proceedings with a clinical 6-2 scoreline, breaking Kalinskaya's serve twice while maintaining her own service games with ease. Navarro's improved court positioning and more aggressive return game neutralized Kalinskaya's power, setting up a decisive third set that would determine who advanced in the prestigious WTA 1000 event.

The final set proved to be Kalinskaya's finest hour. Regaining her composure and rediscovering the form that carried her through the first set, the Russian broke Navarro's serve early and never looked back. Her serve, which had faltered in the second set, returned to peak effectiveness, winning crucial points at important moments. Kalinskaya closed out the match 6-2 in the third set, sealing her best achievement at this competition.

This victory represents a significant result for Kalinskaya in her 2026 season and continues her strong start to the year. The win over Navarro, who has been one of the rising stars in women's tennis, will give the Russian considerable confidence as she progresses deeper into the tournament. For Navarro, despite the disappointing loss, her performance in the second set demonstrated the quality that has made her one of the most promising young players on tour.

Kalinskaya will now await her round of 16 opponent as she looks to build on this momentum in Doha. The Qatar Open, one of the premier hard-court events on the WTA calendar, continues through the week with several top-ranked players still competing for the title.