Some big names have already exited the 2026 Qatar Open…
Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Linda Noskova, Clara Tauson, Liudmila Samsonova, Diana Shnaider, and Elise Mertens are all out of the Qatar Open.
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With nine of the top 16 seeds failing to reach the third round, questions are bound to be asked about what’s going on.
Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
One factor that is often blamed for upset-heavy tournaments, is the conditions.
But what are the conditions actually like at the Qatar Open?
The conditions are different from court to court at the Qatar Open
During Coco Gauff’s second-round defeat to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Tina Krizan told Sky Sports what she thought about the Qatar Open conditions.
“They’re a little bit different during the day than in the night when it gets cooler and slower,” she said.
“We saw [Mirra] Andreeva struggling, not struggling, but getting used to the conditions last evening, when everything was a little bit slower than the Australian Open.
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“But these conditions are quite perfect to play, 27, not too humid, a little bit humid, but nice and sunny. It’s not too fast
“I’m sure [Coco] Gauff likes these conditions.
Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“It’s quite pleasant to play in Doha.
“There is much more wind on the outside courts, and the wind can blow sideways as well, which adds another element to the game, but a little bit less in the Stadium, it’s a huge stadium.
“So different conditions in the Stadium from outside.
“It’s not that fast, and the ball flies through the air because the desert is very close, but players are used to it.
“They always have to adapt, every week.
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“Then, Dubai is going to be slightly different again, so it’s all about adaptation.”
Krizan explained that while the conditions are ‘perfect’ in Doha, they do vary depending on which court you play on.
For those who practice on the outside courts and then compete on the Stadium court, it could be difficult to adjust.
Some have clearly struggled to adjust and adapt.
Some, not all, though.
Who has impressed at the 2026 Qatar Open?
The number three seed, Anisimova, and the number four seed, Gauff are both out, but the top two seeds are safely through to the third round.
Iga Swiatek defeated Janice Tjen in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, making light work of the young Indonesian in her opening match.
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Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina faced more resistance, but managed to book her place in round three with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Xinyu Wang.
She’ll have a tougher time of things in the third round, though, taking on another Chinese athlete, Qinwen Zheng.
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The 2024 Olympic gold medalist missed several months due to injury but has impressed through two rounds in the Middle East, winning in a deciding set against Sofia Kenin and Alycia Parks.
Swiatek, Zheng, and Rybakina have all impressed, as has Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, the 2025 Qatar Open runner-up.
After winning a three-setter in round one, Ostapenko dominated the eighth seed Alexandrova, 6-4, 6-2, to set up a third-round tie with Colombia’s Camila Osorio.
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Ostapenko now looks the favorite to advance from her section of the draw and reach the semifinals.
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in Doha, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.