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The Italian Open WTA doubles draw has been a fun one to follow. However, in the past two days, three teams have opted out of the tournament for different reasons.
Two of the teams are comprised of singles players, and that is always the argument about doubles in high level tennis tournaments. Are the singles players taking spots that traditional doubles teams could use to earn more money and gain ranking points?
MORE: Andrey Rublev shares honest feelings about facing Jannik Sinner in Italian Open quarterfinals
On Tuesday, the defending champion team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini pulled out of the tournament. This was a painful decision because they are the top ranked team with home field advantage, and were trying to defend last year’s title. The reason for the withdrawal was a foot injury for Paolini which she needs to manage as the French Open draws closer.
MORE: Andy Murray will be at Wimbledon in a surprising capacity
The Romanian team of Sorana Cirstea and Jaqueline Cristian withdrew on Wednesday. While no reason has been officially released, 36-year-old Cirstea is having the tournament of her life, defeating WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and has advanced into the semifinals in singles. She is likely preserving her body and energy for Thursday’s match against Coco Gauff. Cirstea and Cristian were slated to play Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova who in their previous round had a last minute opponent change from Leylah Fernandez and Elisabetta Cocciaretto to Hailey Baptiste and Alexandra Eala.
Iva Jovic and Anna Kalinskaya also withdrew on Wednesday. Both Jovic and Kalinskaya are out of singles contention, and both are dealing with minor injuries.
Townsend and Siniakova are the favorites to win. Not only did they win the Sunshine Double, but they also won last week’s Mutua Madrid Open despite Siniakova sustaining a minor injury in the final.
Mar 14, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Taylor Townsend (USA) and Katerina Siniakova (CZE) celebrate with the championship trophy after winning in the the doubles final of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Coco Gauff and Caty McNally, better known as McCoco, and Jessica Pegula and Storm Hunter are slated to play on Wednesday. As a result of Pegula’s singles loss to Iga Swiatek, Gauff is the only player remaining in both the singles and doubles draws.
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Two of the teams are comprised of singles players, and that is always the argument about doubles in high level tennis tournaments. Are the singles players taking spots that traditional doubles teams could use to earn more money and gain ranking points?
MORE: Andrey Rublev shares honest feelings about facing Jannik Sinner in Italian Open quarterfinals
Who is out at Italian Open
On Tuesday, the defending champion team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini pulled out of the tournament. This was a painful decision because they are the top ranked team with home field advantage, and were trying to defend last year’s title. The reason for the withdrawal was a foot injury for Paolini which she needs to manage as the French Open draws closer.
MORE: Andy Murray will be at Wimbledon in a surprising capacity
The Romanian team of Sorana Cirstea and Jaqueline Cristian withdrew on Wednesday. While no reason has been officially released, 36-year-old Cirstea is having the tournament of her life, defeating WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and has advanced into the semifinals in singles. She is likely preserving her body and energy for Thursday’s match against Coco Gauff. Cirstea and Cristian were slated to play Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova who in their previous round had a last minute opponent change from Leylah Fernandez and Elisabetta Cocciaretto to Hailey Baptiste and Alexandra Eala.
Iva Jovic and Anna Kalinskaya also withdrew on Wednesday. Both Jovic and Kalinskaya are out of singles contention, and both are dealing with minor injuries.
Who is in
Townsend and Siniakova are the favorites to win. Not only did they win the Sunshine Double, but they also won last week’s Mutua Madrid Open despite Siniakova sustaining a minor injury in the final.
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Mar 14, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Taylor Townsend (USA) and Katerina Siniakova (CZE) celebrate with the championship trophy after winning in the the doubles final of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Coco Gauff and Caty McNally, better known as McCoco, and Jessica Pegula and Storm Hunter are slated to play on Wednesday. As a result of Pegula’s singles loss to Iga Swiatek, Gauff is the only player remaining in both the singles and doubles draws.
Continue reading...
