Carlos Alcaraz saves 2 set points in Doha opener but magically earns 150th hard-court win | ATP Tour

Doha

Alcaraz saves 2 set points in Doha opener but magically earns 150th hard court win

Spaniard scheduled for R2 clash with Royer; Khachanov, Tsitsipas advance to Qatar ATP 500

February 17, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz ensured he kept pace with rival Janik Sinner’s fast start at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, although the top seed was forced to dig deep in Tuesday’s opening test in Doha.

The 22-year-old, competing for the first time since becoming the youngest professional Grand Slam player at the Australian Open, defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6(5). Alcaraz saved two set points in a tense second set before winning the tiebreak to secure his 150th win on tour-level hard courts and extend his perfect start to the 2026 season to 8-0.

Another week, another incredible milestone 🤯@carlosalcaraz #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/4ydoRtmeyH

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 17, 2026

“It was really difficult,” Alcaraz said after winning in one hour and 47 minutes. “Arthur is a very dangerous player. No one wants to play him in the first round… I’m happy with my level. I’m happy that I got through the difficult moments in the game. I’m happy that I stayed calm. [and] Positive attitude and great tennis. “

Alcaraz showed off his full range of finishing skills, but it was his signature volley that stole the show. In the first set alone, he hit three stunning winners with delicate touch and won an impressive 76% (16/21) of the total net points.

In the second set, Lindekneich stepped up his efforts and served accurately, dragging the game into a tie-break. However, the 6ft 5in Frenchman could not continue the momentum and Alcaraz stepped up his focus to secure his fourth consecutive tiebreak victory.

This week, Alcaraz will aim to improve on his debut in Doha last year, where he lost to Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals. The PIF ATP No. 1 player will next face Frenchman Valentin Royer. Alcaraz can only meet second-seeded Sinner – who surpassed Tomas Machak on Monday – in the championship match, which will be Chapter 17 of their exciting rivalry.

Before then, Alcaraz will likely face Karen Khachanov – one of three former champions in the draw – in the quarterfinals, with the 2024 champion beating lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. Khachanov, the seventh seed, faced Marton Fucsovich in the second round.

Stefanos Tsitsipas ignited his Doha campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui and set up a second-round popcorn contest with 2023 champion and long-time rival Daniil Medvedev. Tsitsipas trailed 4-10 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series, although they have not met since Shanghai 2024.

Jiri Lehecka, Zizou Bergs, Fabian Marozsan and Zhang Zhizhen also advanced on Tuesday. Lehka easily defeated Jason Brooksby 6-3, 6-3, Berges defeated Giovanni Mpetsi Pericad 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4, Marossan defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-1, and Zhang defeated Roberto Cabares Baena 6-4, 6-4.