Aryna Sabalenka crashes out of Qatar Open

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Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Qatar Open. Sabalenka, playing for the first time since her loss to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, went down 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to the world number 26 on Tuesday (February 11).

The top seed in Doha needed 51 minutes to take the first set, but Alexandrova – who already has one WTA Tour title under her belt this season and beat Emma Raducanu in the first round – rallied back brilliantly.

A deciding tie-break was required, with Sabalenka making a total of 53 unforced errors as she failed to get the job done. The world number one did claw back two match points in that tie-break, clicking through the gears with some superb winners, but when presented with a simple down-the-line backhand to restore parity, she dragged wide.

Alexandrova will face Elise Mertens in the last 16, though Iga Swiatek – who is on the hunt for a four-peat in Doha – could well be the big winner from this shock result.

Data Debrief: Sabalenka stunned

This is the first time a reigning world number one has lost in their first match in Doha.

Alexandrova, meanwhile, is the first player to defeat the world number one in a WTA-1000 event after losing the first set since Naomi Osaka, who overcame Ash Barty in Beijing in 2019.

The Russian took four of her 15 break opportunities, showing just how off it Sabalenka was on her serve.

"It took a lot of energy and focus, it was a really difficult match, she's a fighter," said a delighted Alexandrova.