Coco Gauff’s 2026 campaign took another uncomfortable turn on Tuesday as Coco Gauff was knocked out of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open by lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The Italian, ranked No.57 in the world, secured a composed 6-4 6-2 victory on Centre Court in Doha to hand Gauff a third consecutive straight-set defeat.
For UK tennis followers checking the midday GMT scoreline, the pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. Coco now has back-to-back second-round exits in Doha, having also fallen at the same stage last year.
For a player who owns two Grand Slam titles and has spent extended periods inside the world’s top four, this is not the trajectory expected.
Coco Gauff Outplayed Under the Doha Lights
Cocciaretto entered the main draw as a lucky loser after falling in qualifying. On paper, the match appeared straightforward. Coco Gauff led the head-to-head 3-0 and had not dropped a set in their previous meetings.
That dominance evaporated quickly.
Cocciaretto broke serve at 4-4 in the opening set, stepping inside the baseline and dictating rallies with early ball-striking. Coco Gauff struggled to generate depth, particularly off the forehand side. The Italian closed the first set 6-4 with authority.
The second set was more one-sided. Coco Gauff dropped serve twice and won just 48 percent of points behind her second delivery. Cocciaretto surged through 6-2 to record only her third career Top 10 victory and reach the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for the first time.
Why Coco Gauff’s Serve Remains the Defining Issue
Three numbers stand out from Doha:
- 22 unforced errors
- Broken four times
- Under 60 percent first-serve accuracy
Across the 2026 season, Coco Gauff now holds a 7-3 win-loss record. All three defeats have come in straight sets. She has not claimed a single set in any of those losses.
The serve continues to fluctuate. Double faults and second-serve vulnerability remain recurring themes despite technical adjustments over the past two seasons.
Against elite opposition, Coco Gauff’s athleticism and backhand can mask those weaknesses. Against aggressive baseliners willing to attack early, the margins disappear quickly.
Rankings Impact: What This Means for Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff entered Doha ranked No.5 with 6,423 ranking points. A deeper run would have strengthened her position ahead of the spring hard-court swing.
Instead, early elimination means minimal points gained in a WTA 1000 event.
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina continue to build separation at the top. To reclaim the career-high ranking of No.2 she achieved in August 2024, Coco Gauff needs consistency in tournaments of this level.
The Middle East swing has not historically been her strongest stretch. That pattern continues.
Analysis: Not a Crisis, But No Longer a Blip
There is no panic required. Coco Gauff is 21 years old with two major titles and 11 tour-level singles trophies. Her ceiling remains undeniable.
But context matters.
Three straight-set defeats in her last three singles losses is a trend. The competitive edge that powered her to the French Open title last season was absent in Doha. Her forehand was repeatedly targeted and forced into errors. Her body language fluctuated during pressure games.
Coco Gauff remains one of the most marketable and gifted athletes in the women’s game. However, technical reliability under scoreboard pressure must match her physical tools.
That is the difference between Top 5 consistency and title dominance.
Wimbledon Context Looms
For British audiences, the timeline is clear. Wimbledon is less than five months away.
Coco Gauff has reached the fourth round at the All England Club on three occasions but has yet to progress beyond that stage. For a two-time Grand Slam champion, that statistic feels unfinished.
The Doha defeat unfolded during UK lunchtime hours, making it widely followed by fans tracking live updates. Interest remains high. So do expectations.
With Emma Raducanu also enduring a difficult week in Doha, neither of the sport’s most recognisable young stars built momentum here.
The grass-court narrative is already forming.
What Happens Next for Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is expected to compete in Dubai before heading to Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
The positive? She has relatively modest points to defend across those events.
The concern? Confidence and rhythm.
A strong quarter-final or semi-final run in Indian Wells would immediately steady perception. Another early exit would intensify scrutiny before the clay season begins.
The next four weeks may define the direction of her 2026 campaign.
Final Word
Coco defeat in Doha is not season-defining. But it is revealing.
At 21, with elite athleticism and two majors already secured, Gauff remains one of the most compelling players on the WTA Tour. The raw tools are intact. The ambition is clear.
Now the challenge is refinement. Because in 2026, the margins at the top are thinner than ever.
FAQ
Who is Coco Gauff?
Coco Gauff is a 21-year-old American professional tennis player who broke through at Wimbledon in 2019 and has since won two Grand Slam singles titles.
How many Grand Slams has Coco Gauff won?
Coco has won the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open.
What is Coco Gauff’s current ranking?
As of February 2026, Coco is ranked No.5 in the WTA singles rankings.
When does Coco Gauff play next?
She is scheduled to compete at the Dubai Tennis Championships before travelling to Indian Wells and Miami.
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