16-year-old prodigy Mirra Andreeva direct beneficiary of Jessica Pegula Qatar Open withdrawal, set for Main Draw instead of qualifying

Although Jessica Pegula was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Qatar Open, there will still be several talented players present, with Russian tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva slated to replace the American.

After being eliminated in the second round at the 2024 Australian Open, Pegula announced she would missing the Qatar Open and the rest of the Middle Eastern swing as she had obtained a neck injury. Pegula finished runner-up in Doha last year, losing to World No.1 Iga Swiatek.

The 16-year old will take Pegula's spot in the main draw, and will no longer have to seek entrance through the qualifying rounds. Andreeva put on a solid performance in Melbourne, where she defeated former Wimbledon and US Open runner-up Ons Jabeur en route to a round of 16 showing. The Russian would fall to 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in three close sets, but has shown flashes of potential that will make her a threat for any opponent.