New York: In a shocking turn of events on February 10, 2026, Italian tennis sensation Elisabetta Cocciaretto delivered a commanding upset against American star Coco Gauff at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open. The 25-year-old lucky loser dominated the No. 4 seed with a straight-sets victory, marking a pivotal moment in her rising career. This breakthrough propels Elisabetta Cocciaretto into the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for the very first time.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto clinched the match 6-4, 6-2, showcasing her aggressive play and resilience under pressure. Despite Gauff’s strong reputation, Cocciaretto turned the tide after a competitive first set, breaking serve multiple times in the second to seal the deal. Heading into this clash, Gauff held a perfect 3-0 head-to-head edge in their professional encounters, making this reversal all the more unexpected.
This victory stands as Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s third career triumph over a Top 10 player, and her first outside the Grand Slam stage. Her prior conquests include Petra Kvitova at Roland Garros in 2023 and Jessica Pegula at Wimbledon in 2025. Interestingly, while she hadn’t claimed a set against Gauff professionally before, Cocciaretto did notch a junior win over her at the 2018 Australian Open.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s 2026 season has been on fire, highlighted by her Hobart title win as a qualifier—her second WTA Tour crown. She entered Doha after falling in the final qualifying round but got a second chance as a lucky loser following another player’s withdrawal. In the opening round, she dispatched Elsa Jacquemot, building momentum for this giant-killing performance.
Looking ahead, Elisabetta Cocciaretto faces Ann Li in the next round, with both eyeing their maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal berth. This matchup promises more excitement as Cocciaretto continues her impressive run in the desert.