The Qatar Open draw descended into chaos after a technical blunder led to Emma Raducanu being assigned two different opponents within minutes. Initially set to face Anna Kalinskaya, the British star later found herself matched against Ekaterina Alexandrova when the official draw was posted online. The confusion reportedly arose from a human error in inputting player names, leaving an empty slot in the 56-player draw. To rectify the mistake and ensure fairness, tournament organizers opted for a complete redraw, affecting 40 unseeded players.
As a result of the corrected draw, Raducanu will now take on Alexandrova in the first round—a rematch of their Australian Open clash last month. If the 22-year-old Brit prevails, she will face a formidable challenge in the second round against world No. 2 and Australian Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka, who received a first-round bye. The unexpected shake-up in the draw adds another layer of intrigue to Raducanu’s Qatar Open campaign, especially given her recent struggles on the court.
Raducanu enters the tournament on a three-match losing streak, having suffered early exits in her last two events following her defeat to Iga Świątek at the Australian Open. The former US Open champion was not initially scheduled to compete in Doha but received a late wildcard entry. Adding to her challenges, she is currently without a permanent coach after parting ways with Nick Cavaday due to health concerns. For now, she will rely on guidance from Jane O’Donoghue, a former player and trusted advisor.
Despite her recent setbacks, Raducanu remains a player to watch, with access to cutting-edge tactical analysis from the Lawn Tennis Association’s data team. The Qatar Open, set to run until February 15, promises high-stakes action, with Świątek returning to defend her title. For Raducanu, a strong performance in Doha could mark a much-needed turning point in her season as she looks to regain her winning form.
