The international tour stops in Qatar for one more week, when it is now time for the WTT Star Contender Doha. The Swedish representatives are Kristian Karlsson and Filippa Bergand, when the competition starts on January 13-18.
After the debut edition of the WTT Champions Doha over the weekend was decided, there was a quick jolt in the Lusail Sports Arena. As early as tomorrow, the next competition will start in the same hall, and then it will be a WTT Star Contender.
Compared to the Champions competition, this contains a significantly larger starting field, and in addition to the singles classes, men’s, women’s and mixed doubles are also played. Several world stars remain in Doha and play both competitions, and among these are for example Sunday’s two final winners (Lin Yun-Ju, Chinese Taipei, and Zhu Yuling, Macao).
The blue-yellow representation in WTT Star Contender Doha is represented by Kristian Karlsson and Filippa Bergand. Kristian, who during the second half of 2025 took a ranking shot, is directly qualified for the main tournament in men’s singles.
Filippa enters the women’s singles qualifying tournament, where she faces 18-year-old Sachi Aoki, Japan, in a yet-to-be-scheduled match. The players are above the first qualifying round of three, meaning two wins are required for Filippa to advance to the main event.
Bergand also competes in women’s doubles with Dina Meshref, Egypt, and the pair are directly qualified for the main tournament.
The qualification runs for two days, before the main tournament in the various classes takes place on Thursday.
Getting into the singles main event is rewarded with $900 and 5 ranking points, while tournament winners get $17,000 and 600 ranking points.
The matches from the competition are broadcast on WTT’s YouTube channel.
Results, draw and schedule can be found at WTT’s competition page.
WTT Star Contender Doha, January 13-18
Swedish matches, qualifiers
Filippa Bergand – Sachi Aoki, qualifying round 2*
*The match has not yet been scheduled
Bild: Filippa Bergand at WTT Star Contender Muscat 2025 Photo: WTT
