An eleventh victory in a row, and still no defeat. Since the start of 2026, Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 1, has been untouchable. After his victory at the Australian Open on 1is February, the Spaniard qualified for his second final of the year, in Doha (ATP 500), Friday February 20. Opposed to the Russian Andrey Rublev (14e world), he won in two sets (7-6, 6-4).
However, the seven-time Grand Slam winner struggled to overcome, after more than two hours, a Russian with a still volcanic temperament. Twice, Alcaraz had the opportunity to end the first set on his serve, at 5-4, then 6-5. But Rublev saved a set point before offering himself a tie-break. Unfortunately for him, the world No. 1 was ruthless at the best moment to take the lead, 7-6 (3).
Read also: “I thought we were pretty good but actually it was crap”: John McEnroe bows to Novak Djokovic
Against Son or Mensik in the final
Alcaraz then rolled out to lead 3-0. We thought the defending champion was at the bottom of the hole but he got up again in this duel of hitters, erasing his break behind… before giving up his serve again. Except that, as in the first set, Alcaraz was unable to conclude, his opponent even dismissing three match points before breaking. But the Spaniard is definitely a master in the art of roller coasters. Despite this erased break, he once again put Rublev’s back against the wall on his commitment. And the Russian ended up cracking on number 5e match point from the Spaniard.
For the title in Doha, Carlos Alcaraz will meet the winner of the semi-final between the Frenchman Arthur Fils (40e) and the Czech Jakub Mensik (16e), winner of the Italian Jannik Sinner (2e) in the previous round. Note that if successful this Friday, the Frenchman could regain his place as No. 1 tricolor.