Coco Gauff exited the 2026 Qatar Open after a second-round upset this week, with Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto ousting the world No. 5 6-4, 6-2.
At No. 57 in the WTA rankings, Cocciaretto entered the main draw only after McCartney Kessler withdrew, having lost in the final qualifying round. Cocciaretto subsequently dismantled Gauff with aggressive early-ball striking and precise backhands throughout both sets.
The match's defining moment arrived at 3-3, when Cocciaretto won a 33-shot rally to take control. She closed out the set by saving break points in each of her final two service games.
The second set went even smoother for Cocciaretto. The 25-year-old Italian broke immediately, cruising home as Gauff's unforced error count climbed to 39.
"She was just taking the ball early and crushing the ball," Gauff said postmatch.
"I think I need to figure out how to play against players like her who hit super flat and take everything pretty much early. I think the last two matches have shown that I've been struggling with that."
The win marked Cocciaretto's third career Top 10 victory and her first at a WTA 1000 event outside a Grand Slam. She previously scored major upsets at both the 2023 French Open and last year's Wimbledon tournament.
Cocciaretto said she drew inspiration from Italian Olympic skier Sofia Goggia, after Goggia won bronze in Cortina this week. She next faces fellow American Ann Li for a spot in the quarterfinals.
What's next for US tennis star Coco Gauff?
After her early exit in Doha, Gauff now shifts her focus to the 2026 Dubai Championships. There she'll look to regain form as the WTA's hard-court Middle East swing continues.
