The WTA1000 Doha tournament draw is out, with Zheng Qinwen returning to face former Grand Slam champion Kenin.

The official main draw for the 2026 WTA1000 Doha tournament has been announced. Following elbow surgery, Chinese athlete Zheng Qinwen will return to competition here, with Wang Xinyu also included in the main field. Moreover, stars like Swiatek, Rybakina, and Anisimova are confirmed participants.

Zheng Qinwen Photo: Li Jianyi

Zheng Qinwen recently withdrew from both the Australian Open and Abu Dhabi tournaments, admitting she was not yet at "100%" fitness. She appears in the Doha main draw and has already arrived a week early to engage in intensive on-court training. Her comeback match since last year’s China Open is imminent. In her latest comeback vlog, she shared detailed insights into her rehabilitation journey, expressing that she is now more patient in facing challenges.

Zheng Qinwen’s opponent this time is American Sofia Kenin, who won the 2020 Australian Open singles title. They have met only once before, in the 2024 Tokyo final, where Zheng won in straight sets to claim the championship. Last year, Zheng exited Doha in the first round, which has eased the ranking points pressure for this year’s participation.

Another Chinese player, Wang Xinyu, will face Colombian Arango in the first round. They previously met in the first round of singles at last year’s Cincinnati tournament, where Wang won 7-6(1), 6-3. If she advances, she will likely meet the newly crowned Australian Open champion Rybakina in the second round. In the singles qualifiers, Chinese player Zhang Shuai was defeated by Zvonareva after recent travel fatigue and did not make the main draw.

Wang Xinyu Photo: Li Jianyi

Elsewhere, defending champion Anisimova, seeded third, may face Karolina Pliskova in the second round. Last year’s runner-up Ostapenko will play Spain’s Badosa in the first round. Mertens, who just won the Australian Open doubles title, will meet Russian star Pavlyuchenkova in her opening singles match.

2025 Finalists: Ostapenko and Anisimova Photo: Visual China

The total prize money for the WTA1000 Doha event reaches $4,088,211, with the champion earning 1000 ranking points and $665,000. Swiatek secured three consecutive titles here from 2022 to 2024, while champions like Kvitova, Sabalenka, and Mertens have also claimed victory at this tournament.

2026 WTA Doha Singles Main Draw