<p>Sabalenka seeks redemption while Rybakina arrives full of confidence after her Australian Open triumph. Who takes out the first WTA 1000 of the year?</p> <p>Elena Rybakina has just ended Aryna Sabalenka's Australian Open title defence, and now the pair could collide again at the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis">Qatar TotalEnergies Open</a>.</p> <p>The first WTA 1000 event of 2026 brings together the world's best on Doha's fast hard courts, with defending champion Amanda Anisimova looking to prove her 2025 breakthrough was no fluke.</p> <p>The 56-player field features eight seeded players with first-round byes, setting up a fortnight of high-stakes tennis at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.</p> <h2>Who Will Win the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026?</h2> <p>Aryna Sabalenka remains the player to beat in Doha despite her Australian Open disappointment. The world No. 1 has been remarkably consistent at WTA 1000 level, and her powerful baseline game suits these fast outdoor courts perfectly.</p> <p>The Belarusian's recent loss to Rybakina stings, but Sabalenka has shown throughout her career that she responds well to setbacks.</p> <p>Her serve and forehand combination is arguably the most devastating in women's tennis, and the Doha conditions should amplify those weapons. She reached the semifinals here in previous editions and has the game to go deeper.</p> <p>The main concern is mental. Losing a Grand Slam final you were expected to win takes its toll, and the early-season schedule offers little recovery time. However, Sabalenka's professionalism and physical conditioning suggest she can compartmentalise and focus on the task at hand.</p> <h2>Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026 Predictions</h2> <p>Amanda Anisimova offers genuine value as an each-way option. The American shocked the field twelve months ago, defeating Jeļena Ostapenko in the final as an unseeded entrant. That run proved Anisimova belongs at this level, and her aggressive style travels well to Doha.</p> <p>With potentially longer odds than the top seeds, she represents a smart play for punters seeking value.</p> <p>Elena Rybakina shapes as the dangerous dark horse. Fresh off her Australian Open triumph over Sabalenka, the Kazakhstani arrives in Doha brimming with confidence. Her flat, penetrating groundstrokes thrive on fast surfaces, and she has proven she can handle the biggest moments.</p> <p>If the draw falls kindly and she avoids Sabalenka until deep in the tournament, Rybakina could go back-to-back.</p> <p>Former three-time champion Iga Świątek cannot be dismissed either. The Polish star struggled in the 2025 edition, falling in the semifinals, but her pedigree at this event speaks for itself.</p> <h2>When Is the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026? Schedule &amp; Start Time</h2> <p>The main draw runs from February 8-14, 2026, with qualifying rounds on February 6-7. Doha is eight hours behind AEDT, meaning night sessions will air in the early morning hours for Australian viewers.</p> <h2>Where Is the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026? Venue Guide</h2> <p>The tournament takes place at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar. The venue's 7,000-seat center court provides an intimate atmosphere for premium WTA action.</p> <h2>Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026 Prize Money</h2> <p>The total purse exceeds USD $3 million (approximately AUD $4.7 million), befitting its WTA 1000 status. The singles champion takes home a significant portion along with crucial ranking points.</p> <h2>Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026 Odds and Betting Markets</h2> <p>The outright winner market will see Sabalenka among the favourites despite her Australian Open loss, while Rybakina's recent form should attract attention from punters chasing value.</p> <p>Anisimova's defending champion status creates an interesting dynamic, as she proved last year that upsets happen at this event.</p> <p>Head-to-head markets should emerge as the draw unfolds, and set betting could offer value given the fast conditions often produce tighter scorelines. Check out what's available at Sportsbet before the action gets underway.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/biggest-soccer-stadiums-world">The world's most impressive sporting venues ranked by capacity</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/richest-footballers">How the world's top athletes build their fortunes</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/">Your complete guide to sports betting in Australia</a></li> </ul>