Elisabetta Cocciaretto gives her thoughts on Coco Gauff after shock win against her in Doha

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It wasn’t to be for Coco Gauff in Doha…

The American’s Qatar Open struggles continued into the 2026 season, suffering a shock defeat to the world number 57.

In straight sets, Elisabetta Cocciaretto defeated Gauff, 6-4, 6-2.

Prove us wrong…

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Italy’s Cocciaretto was understandably delighted after the match, securing her place in the third round of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time.

During her on-court interview, Cocciaretto shared her thoughts on Gauff.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto says it was an ‘honor’ to play Coco Gauff

“Thank you for coming here to watch us. It is incredible, the tournament here,” said Cocciaretto.

“It is an honour to play her, she is such a great example to me.

Coco Gauff vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto – Match stats

“She is a really great player and a great battle.

“It was an honour to share the court with her today.

“I am really happy to be in the next round here in Doha and to play in front of you guys again.”

Coco Gauff and Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s head-to-head record

The win was Cocciaretto’s first against Gauff, having lost their first three meetings, all in straight sets.

She was then asked if her win in Hobart earlier this year had given her confidence.

“It was an unbelievable tournament for me,” said Cocciaretto.

“I came to play as many matches as I could and played 10 matches in a row.

“Also, I came here to try and play more matches.”

The Italian is focused on winning as many matches as she can in Doha, but admits her focus is on the Winter Olympics in Milan.

“I think this week is a little bit different for us in Italy, as I think I am more focused on the Winter Olympics than the tournament!” she said.

“I am cheering for the Italian athletes, so maybe that is the key and why I am playing better!

“Of course not, but playing more matches helps you win more matches.”

It certainly does, and Cocciaretto will now prepare for her third-round match against another American, Ann Li, on Wednesday, February 11.

What is going wrong for Coco Gauff?

Gauff’s 2026 season hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

After she failed to defend the United Cup title with Team USA, Gauff suffered a comprehensive quarterfinal defeat at the Australian Open.

Are you worried about Coco Gauff in 2026?

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To make matters worse, Gauff was caught smashing her racket backstage, an incident she would rather have kept private.

Now, she’s lost in Doha, and not for the first time.

Gauff has lost four consecutive matches at the Qatar Open, and last won at the event 1,093 days ago.

Coco Gauff’s Qatar Open struggles

• 2026 Qatar Open 2R [LOSS] vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 4-6, 2-6
• 2025 Qatar Open 2R [LOSS] vs Marta Kostyuk, 2-6, 5-7
• 2024 Qatar Open 2R [LOSS] vs Katerina Siniakova, 2-6, 4-6
• 2023 Qatar Open QF [LOSS] vs Veronika Kudermetova, 2-6, 6-3, 1-6
• 2023 Qatar Open 2R [WIN] vs Petra Kvitova, 6-3, 7-6
• 2022 Qatar Open QF [LOSS] vs Maria Sakkari, 3-6, 3-6
• 2022 Qatar Open 3R [WIN] vs Paula Badosa, 6-2, 6-3
• 2022 Qatar Open 2R [WIN] vs Caroline Garcia, 6-2, 7-6
• 2022 Qatar Open 1R [WIN] vs Shelby Rogers, 6-2, 6-3

With all due respect to Cocciaretto, Marta Kostyuk, Katerina Siniakova, and Veronika Kudermetova, Gauff shouldn’t have lost any of those matches.

A player of her calibre should be making the quarterfinals and semifinals of WTA 1000 events with ease, but it just isn’t happening for Gauff in the Middle East.

Her record in Dubai isn’t much better (7-4).

If she wants any chance of fighting for the number-one ranking later this year, Gauff will need to bounce back from her defeat to Cocciaretto and make a deep run at the second Middle Eastern WTA 1000 event of the year.

The 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships begin on Monday, February 16.