Jannik Sinner returns to form to beat Tomas Machac on debut in Doha | ATP Tour

Doha

Sinner returns to form on debut in Doha

The second seed lost just six points on serve, leading to Popyrin’s clash in R2

February 16, 2026

Jannik Sinner began to turn the pain of recent heartbreak into new purpose in Doha on Monday with a stunning debut performance at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

Two weeks after losing to Novak Djokovic in five sets in the Australian Open semifinals, Sinner returned to winning ways with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Tomas Machak at the hard-court ATP 500 event in Doha. With the 70-minute victory, the second seed extended his winning streak at this level to 11 matches after winning titles in Beijing and Vienna last October.

Brilliant Doha debut🌟@qatartennis | #qatarexxonmobilopen | @janniksin pic.twitter.com/PKZTLAjtKf

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 16, 2026

“Today is a little worse than yesterday,” Sinner said of the windy conditions in Doha. “But you have to adapt to every situation and condition on the pitch. We’ve played a few games before, so I know a little bit [about] What to expect. I felt good on the court today. Physically I feel great. Every game gets tougher, so hopefully I’ll be ready for the next game. “

Sinner dropped just six points in an efficient first-round performance and expertly handled Machak’s explosive start to the second set, according to Infosys ATP Statistics. Sinner conceded three match points in the ninth game of the second set as both men hit brilliant winners, with Sinner sealing the victory with a brilliant finish off his own serve.

With top seed and arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz also on hand in Doha, Sinner will look to maintain control of the pair whenever they draw. Since Andrey Rublev’s victory in Madrid in May 2024, no player other than Sinner and Alcaraz has won a Tour-level title in an event featuring both of them.

PIF ATP No. 2 player Sinner will next face Alexei Popyrin, who defeated Qatar wild card Mubarak Shannan Zaid 6-0, 6-2.

Jakub Mensik and Arthur Fils also qualified for Monday’s second-round match in Doha, winning in three sets. Sixth-seeded Mencic defeated qualifier Jan Choinski 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4, while Fiers defeated Kamil Makhzak 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.