Qatar Open 2026: Women’s Singles Draw Preview and Prediction featuring Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff

The first WTA 1000 of the season, the Qatar Open, kicked off on February 8. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the tournament.

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion suffered a three-set defeat at the hands of Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final and thus lost the fourth Major final of her career. Rybakina has now become a two-time Grand Slam champion.

Amanda Anisimova will enter the tournament as the defending champion. In last year’s Doha final, she registered a straight set win over Jelena Ostapenko to win her career’s first Big Title.

Tournament Details

• Defending Champion: Amanda Anisimova
• Tournament: 2026 Qatar Open
• Date: February 8- February 14
• No. of Entrants: 56 (Singles)
• Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex
• Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
• Total Prize Money Pool: $4,088,211

Top seeds at the Qatar Open 2026

• Iga Swiatek
• Elena Rybakina
• Amanda Anisimova
• Coco Gauff
• Mirra Andreeva
• Jasmine Paolini
• Elina Svitolina
• Ekaterina Alexandrova
• Linda Noskova
• Victoria Mboko

First quarter

Iga Swiatek will headline the first quarter. Swiatek will be bidding to win her fourth title, and previously, she completed the three-peat (2022-2024).

The Pole could face Elise Mertens in the fourth round or Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals. Mertens won the tournament back in 2019 against Simona Halep.

Quarterfinal prediction: Iga Swiatek vs. Jasmine Paolini

Second quarter

The second quarter features defending champion Amanda Anisimova. The third seed could meet Karolina Muchova in the fourth round.

In the second half of this quarter, Elina Svitolina and Emma Navarro are the favorites to make the fourth round. Svitolina played the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open, losing the match to Aryna Sabalenka.

Quarterfinal prediction: Amanda Anisimova vs. Elina Svitolina

Third quarter

The first half of this quarter features Ekaterina Alexandrova and Clara Tauson. Emma Raducanu, who reached her career’s second final at the Winners Open, will also headline this quarter.

But all eyes will be on Coco Gauff, who, in the Australian Open, crashed out in the quarterfinals. The American won the Qatar Open doubles title twice, along with compatriot Jessica Pegula.

Quarterfinal prediction: Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Coco Gauff

Fourth quarter

Mirra Andreeva and second seed Elena Rybakina are part of this quarter. Other than them, this quarter features players like reigning Canadian Open champion Victoria Mboko and Diana Shnaider.

Andreeva will be chasing her third WTA 1000 title after wins in last year’s Dubai Open and Indian Wells. Rybakina finished the 2024 Qatar Open as the runner-up.

Quarterfinal prediction: Mirra Andreeva vs. Elena Rybakina

Semifinals

Swiatek is the favorite to reach the semifinals, but despite her record in the tournament, she will not be the heavy favorite to win the tournament, given that she did not have a great start to the season.

Anisimova is in good form and reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open (lost to Pegula). Even though Andreeva holds a 2-1 head-to-head lead over Rybakina, and Gauff too is 1-0 over the Kazakh ace, the World No.3 is expected to reach another final.

Semifinal prediction:

• Iga Swiatek vs. Amanda Anisimova
• Coco Gauff vs. Elena Rybakina

Final

Swiatek is the favorite to reach the semifinals, but despite her record in the tournament, she will not be the heavy favorite to win the tournament, given that she did not have a great start to the season.

Anisimova is enjoying good form, and she also reached the quarterfinal of the Australian Open (lost to Pegula). Even though Andreeva holds a 2-1 head-to-head lead over Rybakina, and Gauff too is 1-0 over the Kazakh ace, the World No.3 is expected to reach another final.

• Final prediction: Amanda Anisimova vs. Elena Rybakina
• Winner prediction: Elena Rybakina

Also read: Former World No.1 Believes Alexander Zverev Missed an “Opportunity” at the 2026 Australian Open