The quarterfinals are set at WTA Doha are set with a brilliant line up in Qatar. Both of the top two seeds will be in action and, as always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance to the semifinals?
WTA Doha Quarterfinal Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: Cocciaretto 1-0 Ostapenko
Last year’s beaten finalist, Jelena Ostapenko, has found form at the right time, and she is into her fourth quarterfinal at the Qatar Open. Ostapenko went down an early break in the first set, but after that, she never looked back and blew away the in-form Camila Osorio. Elisabetta has continued her fantastic run and early-season form, reaching her maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal. It was a challenging match against Ann Li, but Cocciaretto’s confidence gave her the composure to win the third set. Cocciaretto has defeated Ostapenko before, but not many players can challenge when the Latvian is in a rhythm.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Muchova 2-0 Kalinskaya
Karolina Muchova is in the Qatar Open quarterfinals for the first time since 2019. Her third-round opponent, Karolina Pliskova, retired in the first set due to injury, but Muchova was doing a great job of moving Pliskova before the injury occurred. Muchova has shown great consistency to start the season and will be looking to win four matches in a row for the first time since the 2025 US Open. Anna Kalinskaya won against Elina Svitolina for the first time in her career. She has never beaten Muchova either and will be looking to do so. However, the variety and shot selection of the Czech player give her the edge.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Victoria Mboko
Head-to-head: Rybakina 2-1 Mboko
19-year-old Victoria Mboko saved a match point in the third set to defeat Mirra Andreeva in a thrilling contest. Mboko avenges the loss of the Adelaide International final earlier this season and ties the head-to-head of what could be a great rivalry. The match was long with excellent baseline rallies. However, Mboko looked gassed towards the end, which could impact her in the quarterfinal. Qinwen Zheng pushed Elena Rybakina in the third round, but it wasn’t enough in the end. The second seed to extend her win streak to 10 matches
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Swiatek 4-3 Sakkari
Top seed Iga Swiatek took the scenic route to defeat Daria Kasatkina in the third round and reach the Qatar Open quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive year. Swiatek was far from her best in the opening set and made easy errors, but locked in from the second set onwards and never looked back. Maria Sakkari backed up her big win over Jasmine Paolini with another solid performance against Varvara Gracheva, especially in the second set. She is showing the kind of consistency expected of her and must be delighted to reach the quarterfinals. Swiatek has won the last four meetings in this match quite easily, but expect this one to be closer.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main photo credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
