Doha Finals Set: Mboko vs. Muchova for the Title, Doubles Showdown Looms
The stage is set in Doha. After a week of high-level shot-making, upsets, and breakthrough performances, the Qatar TotalEnergies Open is down to its final day-and it’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss Saturday on Center Court at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
In singles, Victoria Mboko and Karolina Muchova have emerged from a loaded 56-player draw to earn their spots in the championship match. In doubles, the Australian Open finalist duo of Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina will square off against the red-hot team of Jelena Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei, who are fresh off a title run in Brisbane.
Let’s break down how we got here, what’s at stake, and what to watch for in both finals.
Finals Schedule - When and Where to Watch
The action begins with the doubles final at 3:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. GMT / 7:30 a.m.
EST), followed by the singles final not before 6 p.m. (3 p.m. GMT / 10 a.m.
EST). Both matches will be played on Center Court.
The singles final will be a best-of-three tiebreak sets format, while the doubles final will feature two tiebreak sets and, if needed, a 10-point match tiebreak to decide the title.
Path to the Singles Final
Victoria Mboko: Rising Star, Rapid Ascent
Mboko’s run in Doha has been nothing short of electric. In just her tournament debut, the Canadian has bulldozed through a tough slate of opponents, including a gritty three-set win over Mirra Andreeva and a statement quarterfinal victory over reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina. She backed that up with a commanding straight-sets win over Jelena Ostapenko in the semis.
- First Round: def. Marie Bouzkova 7-5, 6-2
- Second Round: def. Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-4
- Round of 16: def. Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5)
- Quarterfinals: def. Elena Rybakina 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
- Semifinals: def. Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2
It’s been a whirlwind rise for Mboko, who started 2025 ranked No. 333.
She’s now guaranteed to break into the top 10 for the first time when the new PIF WTA Rankings are released on Monday. This will be her second WTA 1000 final, coming just months after she captured the biggest title of her career at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
And while she fell short in her first final of 2026 in Adelaide-losing in straight sets to Andreeva-she got her revenge in Doha, outlasting the teenager in a third-set tiebreak in the Round of 16.
Mboko’s mindset heading into the final is clear: trust what’s been working.
“I don’t want to change something up because what I’ve been doing has been working so far,” she said. “I just want to rest up the best I can, focus for tomorrow, and just play my game.”
Karolina Muchova: Veteran Grit, Eyes on a Long-Awaited Title
On the other side of the net, Muchova is chasing her second career title-and her first since the 2019 Korea Open. It’s been over six years since she last hoisted a trophy, but the Czech has been playing inspired tennis in Doha, capped by a comeback win over Maria Sakkari in the semifinals.
- First Round: def. Jaquelina Cristian 6-2, 6-3
- Second Round: def. Tereza Valentona 6-1, 6-4
- Round of 16: def. Karolina Pliskova 5-2, ret.
- Quarterfinals: def. Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-4
- Semifinals: def. Maria Sakkari 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
This will be Muchova’s seventh career final and her third at the WTA 1000 level. She didn’t reach a single final in 2025, and her last appearance in a championship match came at the 2024 China Open in Beijing, where she lost to Coco Gauff.
The 2026 season has started on a stronger note for her. She reached the semifinals in Brisbane and made it to the Round of 16 at the Australian Open. In Doha, she’s dropped just one set all week.
Muchova knows she’s in for a battle.
“I watch [Mboko] here and she’s playing incredible,” Muchova said. “She has this boom.
I think she’s an incredible, strong athlete. So it’s for sure going to be a very tough battle.”
Doubles Final Preview: Krunic/Danilina vs. Hsieh/Ostapenko
The doubles final has all the makings of a heavyweight showdown.
Krunic and Danilina have been tested throughout the week, needing match tiebreaks in both the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. But they’ve shown composure under pressure and delivered a clean, straight-sets win in the semis over Luisa Stefani and Gabriela Dabrowski.
- Round of 16: def. Mladenovic/Fernandez 6-2, 4-6, [10-4]
- Quarterfinals: def. Hunter/Joint 6-2, 4-6, [10-4]
- Semifinals: def. Stefani/Dabrowski 6-3, 6-4
On the other side, Hsieh and Ostapenko have been dominant. They haven’t dropped a set until the semifinals, where they edged out Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani in a tight match tiebreak.
- Round of 16: def. Klepac/Piter 6-3, 6-3
- Quarterfinals: def. Mihalikova/Nicholls 6-1, 6-2
- Semifinals: def. Paolini/Errani 7-5, 3-6, [10-6]
With Ostapenko also reaching the singles semifinals earlier this week, she’s been one of the busiest-and most successful-players in Doha. Hsieh, a seasoned doubles specialist, brings her signature creativity and court sense to the table.
What’s at Stake: Rankings and Prize Money
There’s more than just silverware on the line.
In singles, the champion will earn $665,000 and 1,000 ranking points, while the runner-up will take home $385,001 and 650 points. In doubles, the winning team splits $195,000 and the finalists earn $110,010.
Mboko’s top-10 debut is already locked in, regardless of Saturday’s outcome. A win would only further cement her as one of the fastest-rising stars in the sport. Muchova, currently projected to rise to No. 13, could climb to No. 11 with a victory-putting her right back in the mix among the tour’s elite.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s finals in Doha are more than just a pair of title matches-they’re a snapshot of where the women’s game is headed. On one side, a young phenom in Mboko, rapidly climbing the ranks with fearless tennis. On the other, a battle-tested veteran in Muchova, looking to reclaim her place at the top with a long-awaited second title.
Add in a doubles final featuring four of the most dynamic players on tour, and you’ve got a day of tennis that promises drama, quality, and plenty of momentum heading into the heart of the 2026 WTA season.