Qatar TotalEnergies Open gets underway

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February 9, 2026
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9-February-2026

Qatar TotalEnergies Open gets underway

Doha: Karolina Muchova made a robust start to her Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026 campaign dismissing Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets at the Khailfa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Sunday evening.

Muchova needed an hour and a half to go past her Romanian opponent 6-2, 6-3. The Czech, seeded 14, faced pressure right out of the gate but saved four break points in the opening game. Then, the 2023 French Open finalist claimed breaks in the second and eighth games to take the first set.

After winning the first set, Muchova also made a strong start to the second set and went 3-0 up. Down by a set and a break, Jaqueline didn’t give much as the world No. 35 responded by taking the next three games and tying the set to three games apiece. However, Muchova remained unfazed, winning the next three games to get the job done in straight sets.

In the second round, Muchova will play against the winner of the match between Alexandra Eala of The Philippines and Czech teen Tereza Valentova.

Eala and Valentova previously faced each other in October 2025 at the Japan Women’s Open, where the Czech dominated the Filipina ace, 6-1, 6-2, in the Round of 32. Valentova went on to reach the finals of the tournament.

The Czech player made her Grand Slam main draw debut last year, reaching the Round of 64 at both Roland Garros and the US Open, and advancing to the Round of 32 at the most recent Australian Open.

Valentova is currently ranked 44th in the WTA rankings, just one spot above Eala.