Carlos Alcaraz secured a spot in the Qatar Open final by defeating defending champion Andrey Rublev in a hard-fought match. The World No. 1 clinched a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory in Doha, extending his unbeaten streak in 2026 to 11 matches. Despite facing challenges in both sets, Alcaraz displayed composure and determination to claim his place in the final.
Alcaraz expressed his pride in his performance and mindset on the court, emphasizing his focus on continuous improvement. With this win, Alcaraz now holds a 5-1 head-to-head record against Rublev. In the upcoming final, he will face France’s Arthur Fils as he vies for the championship title.
Following his historic Australian Open win, Alcaraz has shown resilience and maturity throughout his campaign in Doha. Overcoming tough opponents like former champion Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz faced another test against Rublev. Despite challenges, Alcaraz remained calm and positive, highlighting the importance of maintaining composure in critical moments.
In a thrilling match, Alcaraz saw a 3-0 lead slip away in the second set and missed multiple match points before ultimately securing victory. With this win, Alcaraz advances to his 34th tour-level final, boasting a strong record in championship matches. Meanwhile, Arthur Fils earned his spot in the final by defeating Jakub Mensik, setting up an exciting showdown with Alcaraz.
