Marta Kostyuk didn’t just defeat Coco Gauff at the Qatar Open—she delivered a mic-drop moment. The Ukrainian, ranked World No. 21, stunned the third-seeded American 6-2, 7-5 in Doha, marking Gauff’s second straight loss to a lower-ranked rival. Fresh off a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open (where World No. 10 Paula Badosa bested her), Gauff’s shaky 39 unforced errors in Qatar compounded her struggles. But the real headline? Kostyuk’s fiery post-match remarks, urging fans to revisit their explosive rivalry. Let’s unpack her bold declaration.
Marta Kostyuk’s blunt nod to new rivalry with Coco Gauff
Kostyuk’s victory wasn’t just about outplaying Gauff—it was about rewriting their narrative. Before Doha, the 22-year-old had only one win against the US Open champ (on Stuttgart’s clay in 2023). This time, she dominated in straight sets, capitalizing on Coco Gauff’s double faults and erratic play. But instead of basking in the upset, Marta Kostyuk turned the spotlight to their past battles.
“I mean, Coco is an incredible fighter; we always have incredible matches,” Kostyuk said, grinning. “If you haven’t seen our match in Stuttgart, go on YouTube and watch it for sure. A great one.”
Her challenge to fans wasn’t just cheeky—it was strategic. By highlighting their 2023 clay-court clash (a three-set thriller), Kostyuk framed their rivalry as must-watch drama. She also shrugged off the pressure of facing a top seed:
“I just tried to stick to what I had to do, and I’m very happy it worked out in two sets. Very happy to be through to [the] round of 16.”
Coco Gauff, meanwhile, unraveled. The 20-year-old, who hasn’t won a match in Doha since 2022, fired just eight winners amid a flurry of mistakes. Even her serve betrayed her, with back-to-back double faults handing Marta Kostyuk match point.
What’s next for the duo?
For Kostyuk, the win is a career milestone—she’s never advanced past the Qatar Open’s second round before. Up next? A showdown with Magda Linette or Magdalena Frech. Coco Gauff, meanwhile, heads to Dubai’s WTA 1000 event desperate to reset. Despite a strong start to 2024 (lifting the United Cup and toppling Iga Świątek), back-to-back losses have dimmed her momentum.
One thing’s clear: Marta Kostyuk’s confidence is soaring. By mixing sharp play with sharper words, she’s not just climbing the ranks—she’s crafting a legacy. And if you haven’t seen that Stuttgart match yet? Well, you know where to look.