Maria Sakkari upset Iga Świątek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday, advancing to her third Qatar Open quarterfinals. Over two hours and 29 minutes, Sakkari ended a nearly five-year winless streak against the world No. 2.
Świątek, a three-time Qatar Open champion at the event, entered on an 18-2 tournament record. However, she went on to commit 16 backhand errors while struggling at the net throughout the match.
The 30-year-old Greek tennis star took the second set, breaking early for a 2-0 lead. Świątek later leveled, earning two break points while serving in the ninth game. But Sakkari held for 5-4, closing the set on Świątek's 16th backhand error.
In the third set, Sakkari opened a 5-2 lead before Świątek broke back twice to level at 5-5, saving a match point with an ace. A disputed double-bounce call disrupted Sakkari's momentum briefly. She held for 6-5, then earned two more match points. On the third, Świątek put a forehand volley into the net.
"I'm speechless because it's been a while since I had a big win like today," Sakkari said postmatch. "When you drop in the rankings and you're not playing the semis, you start doubting yourself and think you’re never beating those players again."
The Qatar Open win marks the first time Sakkari has recorded two Top 10 wins at the same tournament since the 2022 WTA Finals.
"It's amazing," Sakkari added. "This is one of the best tournaments of the season so it's a huge honor."
How to watch Maria Sakkari in the 2026 Qatar Open semifinals
Sakkari will next face either Karolina Muchova or Anna Kalinskaya in Saturday's Doha semifinals, live on The Tennis Channel.
Daria Kasatkina exited the 2026 Qatar Open on Wednesday, opening strong before top seed Iga Świątek rallied from a set down to win 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the third round.
Kasatkina took the opening set 7-5, threatening to hand Świątek her first loss of the tournament and only her second head-to-head defeat. But the three-time Qatar Open champion responded with authority, dominating the final two sets to reach the quarterfinals.
The 28-year-old Australian had been playing her best tennis in months heading into the match, defeating Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-0 in the second round after overcoming qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. The victories marked Kasatkina's first back-to-back wins since August.
"For a long time, I didn't feel like this on the tennis court," Kasatkina said after ousting Mertens. "It's something I was looking for over the past few months."
That momentum carried into Wednesday, as Kasatkina claimed her first set win against the world No. 2 since their lone previous meeting in 2021. But Świątek quickly found her rhythm.
The Polish star dominated the second set 6-1, later closing out the match by the same scoreline. Świątek improved to 7-1 all-time against Kasatkina, extending her head-to-head hardcourt advantage to 5-0.
Kasatkina now holds a 3-5 win-loss record in 2026. The former world No. 8 — currently ranked 61st — had endured a brutal start to the season with just one win across three tournaments, including a first-round loss at the 2026 Australian Open.
Despite the loss, Kasatkina's performance in Doha showed signs of resurgence, perhaps signaling a turnaround after months spent struggling.
Świątek will next face Greece's Maria Sakkari in Friday's quarterfinals as she pursues her fourth Doha title.
With the 2026 Australian Open in the rearview mirror, this week's WTA rankings update reflected the season-opening Grand Slam's impact on tennis's top tier.
An exit from the Melbourne Slam's quarterfinals sent US star Coco Gauff skidding two spots to No. 5, as the newly crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina took over Gauff's previous position at No. 3 alongside her second-career major tournament victory.
At the top of the WTA rankings, Australian Open finalist Aryna Sabalenka retained her world No. 1 status, followed by the similarly stable No. 2 Iga Świątek — despite the six-time Slam winner's own quarterfinals ousting.
On the flip side, 2025 champion Madison Keys fell six spots to No. 15, while young Canadian star Vicky Mboko and fan favorite Naomi Osaka each rose three spots to Nos. 13 and 14, respectively.
With Gauff's slight fall, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova now takes over as the top US talent after making her first Australian Open quarterfinals appearance last week.
No. 6 Jessica Pegula, No. 7 Mirra Andreeva, and No. 8 Jasmine Paolini all held steady, while new-No. 9 Belinda Bencic and new-No. 10 Elina Svitolina became the first two mothers to earn a Top 10 ranking at the same time.
"It's a dream to return to the WTA Top 10," Svitolina said after reaching her first Australian Open semifinal. "Doing it as a mother means so much to me. I'm proud of my fight and resilience."
The 2026 Australian Open semifinals are set, after a round of quarterfinals teeming with upsets sent three top seeds packing.
World No. 3 Coco Gauff opened the floodgates early Tuesday morning, falling to No. 12 Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-2, as the 31-year-old Ukrainian advanced to her first-ever Australian Open semifinal.
Gauff wasn't the round's only victim, however, as No. 2 Iga Świątek saw her career slam dreams deferred at the hands of No. 5 Elena Rybakina in a 7-5, 6-1 Tuesday evening result.
The Melbourne Grand Slam's US contingent ultimately dwindled from four quarterfinalists down to one on Tuesday night, when No. 6 Jessica Pegula ousted fellow US star No. 4 Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1) to reach her first-ever Australian Open semifinal.
"It's awesome," the 31-year-old said after the win. "I feel like I play really good tennis here…. I've been waiting for the time when I can break through."
Only No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka avoided falling to a lower seed, defeating US teenager No. 27 Iva Jović in tidy fashion 6-3, 6-0 on Monday.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open semifinals
The 2026 Australian Open semis start at 3:30 AM ET on Thursday, with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka facing No. 12 Elina Svitolina before No. 6 Jessica Pegula takes on No. 5 Elena Rybakina in the following match.
Both semifinals will air live on ESPN.
The US is flooding the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open, with half of eight women still standing in the Grand Slam representing the United States.
World No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and No. 27 Iva Jović all advanced from the weekend's fourth round, joining No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 5 Elena Rybakina, and No. 12 Elina Svitolina in Monday and Tuesday's quarterfinals.
"I'm just trusting the level that I have been able to put out and hopefully that will be enough," 18-year-old Jović said as she gears up for her Monday night clash with Sabalenka — a two-time winner (2023, 2024) of the Melbourne Slam.
Pegula's success, meanwhile, came at the expense of her US teammate and the reigning Australian Open champion, No. 9 Madison Keys, whom she ousted in straight sets in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
Even more, Pegula's quarterfinal matchup will again feature friendly fire as she takes on Anisimova on Tuesday night.
"Sucks that one American has to go out in the quarterfinals," Anisimova said. "Jess is such a great player, so I'm sure it's going to be a great battle."
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open quarterfinals
The Australian Open quarterfinals start at 7:30 PM ET on Monday, when No. 27 Jović takes on No. 1 Sabalenka before No. 3 Gauff's 3 AM ET Tuesday matchup with No. 12 Svitolina.
No. 6 Pegula's clash with No. 4 Anisimova, as well as No. 5 Rybakina vs. No. 2 Świątek will close out the quarterfinals early Wednesday morning.
All matches from the Melbourne Slam air live across ESPN platforms.
The next generation of tennis stars are on the rise, with youth-powered upsets rattling this week's third round of the 2026 Australian Open.
No. 8 Jasmine Paolini became the season's first fallen Top 10 contender, as the Italian standout fell 6-2, 7-6(3) to US 18-year-old and world No. 27 Iva Jović early Friday morning.
No. 14 Clara Tauson and No. 10 Belinda Bencic also bowed out of the Melbourne Grand Slam thanks to a pair of 19-year-olds, with Canada's No. 16 Victoria Mboko and Czechia's No. 126 Nikola Bartunkova ousting the Danish and Swiss stars, respectively, on Thursday to advance to this weekend's fourth round.
Even more, Mboko and Bartunkova were two of five teenagers featuring in the Grand Slam's third round, as the WTA establishment clashed with its future.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old star Coco Gauff survived a three-set scare against fellow US talent No. 70 Hailey Baptiste, with the world No. 3 eventually reaching her fourth straight Australian Open Round of 16 behind Thursday's 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 come-from-behind win.
"On the serve, I was just trying to be aggressive with my placement and not be too passive," Gauff said postmatch. "Honestly, I'm out there trying to figure out that balance along with everybody else."
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open
The third round of the 2026 Australian Open wraps on Friday night, with WTA stars like No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, and No. 17 Naomi Osaka all aiming to advance.
Friday's action kicks off with defending champion No. 9 Madison Keys taking on Czechia's Karolína Plíšková while fellow US standout No. 6 Jessica Pegula faces No. 101 Oksana Selekhmeteva at 6:30 PM ET.
All matches from the Melbourne Slam air live across ESPN platforms.
The first Grand Slam of 2026 has arrived, as the main draw of the Australian Open hits the court on Saturday evening, promising some early-round fireworks.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters as the tournament favorite, though the rest of the WTA Top 10 promises to give her a run for her money — as No. 2 Iga Świątek chases the only major tournament title still eluding her.
Meanwhile, No. 9 Madison Keys will attempt to defend her 2025 crown, as fellow US products No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, and No. 6 Jessica Pegula also locked down top seeds.
Another US superstar will return this weekend, with 45-year-old Venus Williams following up her impressive 2025 performances by accepting a wild-card entry to her first Australian Open in five years.
"Even though I've been on tour for a long time, this is also still my first experience as [reigning champion]," Keys said. "I'm really just trying to soak in all of the really cool fun parts."
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open
The 2026 Australian Open begins at 7 PM ET on Saturday, with Williams as well as top-seed Sabalenka and world No. 7 Jasmine Paolini set to face their first opponents on the first day of the Slam's main draw.
The second day of first-round matches will see the rest of the WTA elite in action, as No. 2 Świątek, No. 3 Gauff, No. 4 Anisimova, No. 6 Pegula, and No. 9 Keys — as well as No. 5 Elena Rybakina, No. 8 Mirra Andreeva, and No. 10 Belinda Bencic — will hit the hardcourt in Melbourne starting at 7 PM ET on Sunday.
All matches in the 2026 Australian Open — from the first round through the women's final on Saturday, January 31st — will air live across ESPN platforms.
As top tennis talents turn toward the 2026 Australian Open, this week's WTA rankings refresh hints at the drama to come as the year's first Grand Slam nears.
Following her strong 2026 United Cup showing against world No. 2 Iga Świątek, Team USA favorite Coco Gauff jumped to No. 3, leapfrogging fellow US star No. 4 Amanda Anisimova along the way.
Meanwhile, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys hit a slight skid, falling two spots to No. 9 after unwavering No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ousted her from last week's Brisbane Open quarterfinals.
Sabalenka aside, Switzerland's No. 10 Belinda Bencic might have the hottest hand heading into Melbourne, busting into the Top 10 after winning all five of her 2026 United Cup singles matches — including a dominant three-set victory over Poland's Świątek.
Bencic also made history in this week's rankings update, becoming the first returning mother to crack the WTA's top tier since US tennis icon Serena Williams did so in 2021.
"I think it's been a huge goal, maybe a huge ride after the whole comeback, to come back and prove this to myself, that it's possible," Bencic said this week.
How to watch top WTA ranked tennis players this week
Next up for the WTA rankings' elite will be the record-breaking 2026 Australian Open, with the main draw of the season's first Slam kicking off down under on Sunday.
Live coverage from the Melbourne hardcourt will air across ESPN platforms beginning at 7 PM ET on Saturday.
Team Poland lifted the 2026 United Cup trophy on Sunday, but the historic win brought new concerns as world No. 2 Iga Świątek appeared rattled while closing out the Australian Open tune-up.
While her compatriots closed out the fourth edition of the international team tournament with wins that secured two-time runner-up Poland its first-ever United Cup title, Świątek stumbled at the finish.
The 24-year-old capped the singles competition with back-to-back defeats, dropping her semifinals match against US star No. 3 Coco Gauff in straight sets on Saturday before falling 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to Switzerland's No. 10 Belinda Bencic on Sunday — a loss that saw the six-time Grand Slam winner seeking treatment between sets.
"Everything is fine. Just super sore," Świątek said following Poland's 2026 United Cup win, downplaying her fitness concerns. "First tournament of the year, it causes the body [to feel] a bit differently than during the season."
With the first Grand Slam of 2026 looming — the only one standing between Świątek and a Career Grand Slam — the Polish phenom and her peers will have a week to recover before taking the Australian Open hardcourt in Melbourne at 7 PM ET on Saturday.
With qualifying play wrapping midweek, the 2026 Australian Open will reveal each player's path in the main draw, which will stream live at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday at ausopen.com.
Tennis's biggest names have hit highs and lows down under over the weekend, with stars like Coco Gauff seeing mixed results at the 2026 United Cup as the annual Australian Open team tune-up tournament heads into its knockout rounds.
World No. 4 Coco Gauff and the reigning champion Team USA are through to the quarterfinals, joined by top WTA competitor and No. 11 Belinda Bencic of Team Switzerland.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Czechia, and Greece also punched their tickets to the knockouts, with Tuesday night's final group-stage bout deciding whether No. 2 Iga Świątek and Team Poland or Team Germany will claim the final spot in the quarterfinals.
Thus far in the team competition, however, Gauff has experienced a particularly up-and-down tournament, suffering her first-ever United Cup singles defeat on Monday against No. 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain after causing a stir with her postmatch comments.
"I feel like we're definitely, in tennis, the worst," she told reporters before the singles showdown. "I've always said I wish our country in other places would show up throughout the world as we see smaller countries support."
After taking some heat, the 21-year-old later clarified her position on social media, writing "Trust me I understand the financial aspect of things and know tennis is not accessible for everyone, it was more of a comment for those who are already attending and how I wish they were as passionate as those from other countries."
How to watch Gauff and Team USA at the 2026 United Cup
Gauff will look to return to form against No. 51 Maria Sakkari when Team USA kicks off the 2026 United Cup quarterfinals against Team Greece at 9 PM ET on Tuesday, airing live on the Tennis Channel.