Top seed Aryna Sabalenka returns to action at the Qatar Open, facing a stern challenge in the second round against the in-form Ekaterina Alexandrova. This will be Sabalenka’s first competitive match since her heartbreaking loss to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final in January.
The Belarusian star, a former champion in Doha, will aim to bounce back from that defeat and continue her impressive record at the tournament. Sabalenka, who claimed the Qatar Open title on her debut in 2020 and reached the quarter-finals in 2022, boasts a 7-1 win-loss record at the event and is determined to improve it further.
Despite being the favorite, Sabalenka will need to overcome the challenge posed by Alexandrova, who enters the match in fine form, riding a five-match winning streak. The Russian player is fresh off a commanding 6-3, 7-5 victory over Emma Raducanu in the first round, avenging her Australian Open defeat to the British player.
Alexandrova’s victory marked her fifth consecutive win and further cemented her status as a dangerous opponent. The recent Linz champion has been in strong form, holding a 6-3 win-loss record this season, and will look to upset the tournament’s top seed.
Head-to-Head Record
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head series against Alexandrova 4-3. The pair last met in the third round of the 2024 US Open, where Sabalenka rallied to secure a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. Notably, five of their encounters have been on hard courts, with Sabalenka winning three of those matches.
Alexandrova, however, has defeated Sabalenka in high-stakes matches before, including the 2022 final in 's-Hertogenbosch and the 2021 quarter-finals in Moscow. This will be their eighth meeting, with both players having prior success on hard courts, setting up a potentially thrilling contest.
Recent Form
Sabalenka began the 2025 season in red-hot form, winning 11 consecutive matches before her Australian Open final loss. That defeat ended a remarkable 20-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, where she was chasing a third consecutive title. The Belarusian’s strong start to the season underscores her status as a top contender in Doha.
Meanwhile, Alexandrova has shown her ability to compete with elite opponents. In 2024, she recorded victories over top-10 players like Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek. Although she is currently on a four-match losing streak against top-10 players, Alexandrova’s recent performances suggest she is capable of pulling off an upset.
Prediction
While Alexandrova’s momentum and confidence make her a formidable opponent, Sabalenka’s pedigree and experience give her the edge in this match-up. The Belarusian is expected to overcome a tough challenge and secure a victory in three sets, improving her record in Doha to 8-1 and ending Alexandrova’s five-match winning streak.
The second-round clash promises to be an exciting contest, with both players bringing strong form and a history of competitive matches. Sabalenka will be keen to reassert her dominance on the WTA Tour, while Alexandrova will look to build on her recent success and deliver another statement win.
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