Elena Rybakina put on a masterclass of resilience and top-level tennis as she rallied from a set down to defeat China’s Zheng Qinwen 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 at the Qatar Open 2026. The hard-fought victory in Doha advances the World No. 3 into the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event, underscoring her strong early-season form.
The match began with Zheng, the 2024 Australian Open runner-up, taking control to secure the opening set by a single break, testament to her aggressive baseline play and growing confidence after returning from elbow surgery last year.
However, Rybakina quickly shifted the momentum in the second set, finding her rhythm and breaking Zheng twice to level the match. From there, the pair engaged in an intense deciding set, featuring momentum swings and high-pressure rallies that held the crowd on edge.
At one point Rybakina surged to a 5-2 lead and even served for the match, yet a determined Zheng fought back, winning a pivotal game to stay alive. Despite facing resistance and a brief moment where her own serve came under threat, Rybakina held firm when it mattered most, clinching the final set 7-5 after 2 hours and 27 minutes of gripping tennis.
After the victory, Rybakina spoke about the quality of her opponent and the challenge posed, “She played really well with some incredible shots,” she reflected, acknowledging Zheng’s effort. Rybakina added that she was “happy that in the end it went my way,” showing respect for the tight contest and the level at which both players competed.
With this win, Rybakina extended her impressive early-season run and secured her third consecutive quarter final appearance in Doha, improving her head-to-head edge in WTA matchups against Zheng.
In the quarterfinals, she was slated to face Canada’s Victoria Mboko, setting up a compelling clash between two of the tour’s standout competitors.
