In a stunning upset at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, Italian tennis player Elisabetta Cocciaretto, inspired by the Winter Olympics skiers, defeated the highly-ranked Coco Gauff. Cocciaretto's attention was divided between the tennis court and the Winter Olympics being held in her home country, Italy. Despite this, she managed to secure her third Top 10 win and her first outside a Grand Slam, beating Gauff 6-4, 6-2. This win marks Cocciaretto's advancement to the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event for the first time. The Italian's success can be attributed to her fearlessness and aggressive playing style, which she credits to her admiration for the Winter Olympic skiers. Cocciaretto's coach, Fausto Scolari, who hails from the Alpine town of Sondrio, has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the sport. Her previous Top 10 wins include victories over Petra Kvitova and Jessica Pegula, but this win against Gauff is particularly significant. Cocciaretto's stellar season continued with her capturing of the second WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz title as a qualifier in Hobart. She will now face another American, Ann Li, in the next round, with both players aiming for their maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
