Top seed Iga Swiatek is set to begin her campaign at the 2026 Qatar Open against wild card entrant Janice Tjen in the second round in Doha. Swiatek, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, comes into the match refreshed after receiving a first-round bye, while Tjen carries momentum from her impressive straight-sets victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Swiatek’s 2025 season was remarkable, featuring victories at prestigious events such as Wimbledon, Cincinnati, and Seoul, alongside a run to the final in Bad Homburg. Her performance in 2025 saw her reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, thereby ending her pursuit of a career Grand Slam. Over the course of the season, she noted 243 aces, won 68.8% of her first-serve points, claimed 45.4% of return points, and converted 58% of break chances across 94 matches.
In contrast, Tjen, who holds a world ranking of No. 46, has struggled to find her footing this year, experiencing early exits in events at Auckland, Hobart, Melbourne, and Abu Dhabi. However, her achievements in 2025 were notable as she secured six ITF singles titles and four ITF doubles titles, in addition to WTA 125 singles and doubles trophies. Tjen also made her US Open main-draw debut, reflecting a positive trajectory despite her current struggles on the WTA tour.
As anticipation builds for their encounter, predictions favor Swiatek heavily. The odds reflect her status as an overwhelming favorite, with the best bet identified as Swiatek -6.5 games at -132 on FanDuel, providing an appealing option given her track record against less-ranked opponents. Swiatek’s consistency and depth are expected to create significant pressure on Tjen, who will need to serve efficiently and maintain high confidence to challenge the Polish star.
Both players have shown flashes of brilliance in their recent forms, with Swiatek winning in Seoul and Tjen recently securing a title in Chennai, highlighting their competitive capabilities. However, historical performance suggests a comfortable victory for Swiatek, with predictions leaning towards a straight-sets win.
For viewers wishing to catch the action, the match will start on February 10, 2026, not before 4:10 PM AST at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex. Broadcasting options include Tennis Channel and ESPN, among others, while live streaming will be available on WTA TV and various regional platforms.
This matchup not only promises exciting tennis but also showcases two players at different stages in their careers, with Swiatek aiming to reclaim her dominance and Tjen eager to prove herself on the bigger stage.