World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shocking early exit at the Qatar Open, falling to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a dramatic three-set battle on Tuesday. The Belarusian, playing her first match since her Australian Open final defeat, lost 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) in a tense encounter lasting over two and a half hours.
Alexandrova, fresh off her WTA title win in Linz, overcame a one-set deficit and a surprising courtside interruption—a stray cat briefly halting play—to claim victory. The 26th-ranked Russian now faces Belgian Elise Mertens in the last 16.
Meanwhile, third seed Coco Gauff also bowed out in straight sets, losing 6-2, 7-5 to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. Despite leading 4-2 in the second set, Gauff’s error-ridden performance—marked by seven double-faults and 39 unforced errors—allowed Kostyuk to rally for a decisive win. The Ukrainian will meet Poland’s Magda Linette in the next round.
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina enjoyed a smoother path, defeating Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4, despite a late hiccup. The former Wimbledon champion advances to face Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova, who overcame Russian teen Mirra Andreeva in three sets.
In another upset, Chinese seventh seed Zheng Qinwen was ousted 6-4, 6-2 by Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. The three-time Grand Slam finalist secured her first top-10 win since the 2023 Madrid Open and will next face 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Elsewhere, Italian Jasmine Paolini overcame Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-4, while American sixth seed Jessica Pegula battled past Elina Svitolina in a tough 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) contest. Rising Czech star Linda Noskova set up a last-16 clash with three-time defending champion Iga Świątek after defeating Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3.
