Doha Curse! After the Level Upgrade, Gauff Faces First-Round Exit Again

As widely recognized, both the ATP and WTA have made many reforms over the past few years. Some venues have been upgraded as a result, like the WTA1000 Doha Open in Qatar. Prior to 2024, this tournament oscillated between 500 and 1000 levels, and from 2024 onward, it was formally elevated to a WTA1000 event. However, since the upgrade, there has been one player who has never won here. So, who is this player, and what has her record been like at this event? Today, this article will take you through the story.

This player is the American, Coco Gauff. Back in 2018, she won the French Open junior title, becoming the youngest player in the 21st century to claim that championship. That same year, Gauff defeated Chinese player Zheng Qinwen in the Orange Bowl final to take the title. It is worth noting that this was the first time a Chinese player reached the Orange Bowl final.

Since then, Gauff has improved every year. In August 2023, already a WTA1000 champion, she triumphed at the US Open to claim her first Grand Slam title. At that time, she was still under twenty years old. In mid-February 2024, having just reached the Australian Open semifinals, she entered the WTA1000 Doha Open as the tournament’s second seed and received a first-round bye. That year marked the first time Doha was a WTA1000 event.

In the second round, Gauff faced Czech player Siniaková. Most of Siniaková’s success has come in doubles, with her singles results less impressive. Given her much lower world ranking compared to Gauff, many expected Gauff to win easily. However, unexpectedly, Gauff lost the first set 2–6. Though her form improved in the second set, Siniaková still secured it 6–4. After this loss, Gauff had no choice but to exit the tournament early.

That year, Gauff won titles at both the China Open and the WTA Finals. Notably, in the WTA Finals final, she defeated Chinese player Zheng Qinwen. That event also marked the first time a post-2000 Chinese female tennis player appeared on the WTA Finals stage.

In mid-February 2025, after leading her team to victory in the United Cup, Gauff again entered the WTA1000 Doha Open as a seeded player with a first-round bye. In the second round, she faced Ukrainian player Kostyuk, who has previously reached the semifinals of WTA1000 events and has solid ability. In this match, Gauff was defeated in straight sets 2–6, 5–7, marking her second consecutive first-round exit at Doha.

In 2025, Gauff earned her first French Open title at Roland Garros. This week at the WTA1000 Doha Open, her second-round opponent was lucky loser Italian player Cocciaretto. Gauff was completely off her game and was swept out 4–6, 2–6. This marks Gauff’s third straight year exiting in her opening match at the WTA1000 Doha event.Her future ability to overcome this losing streak in Doha remains to be seen. We will watch closely. That concludes today’s tennis story; more to come tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yixin Jushi)