World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz continued his flawless start to the 2026 season on Friday night in Doha, overcoming defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6(3), 6-4 to book his place in the final.
In a match that demanded resilience as much as brilliance, the 22-year-old Spaniard converted his sixth match point after two hours and two minutes of absorbing tennis, stretching his unbeaten run this year to 11 matches and reaching the 12th final in his last 13 tournaments.
Carlos Alcaraz Overcomes Andrey Rublev
Rublev, a two-time champion in Doha, pushed Alcaraz to the limit. The Russian twice broke when Alcaraz was serving for the first set, forcing a tense tie-break after both players traded blows from the baseline. Rublev’s forehand found the lines repeatedly, but 14 unforced backhand errors in the opener ultimately proved costly.
In the tie-break, Alcaraz surged to a 6-3 lead and sealed the set with a disguised forehand winner that left Rublev flat-footed. In the second set, the spaniard raced to a 3-0 lead, only for Rublev to claw his way back. Serving for the match at 5-3, the Spaniard saw three match points slip away as Rublev produced one last surge to break back.
But champions respond. Alcaraz immediately broke again and, showing the composure that has defined his recent rise, finally closed out the contest when Rublev’s backhand drifted wide.
Fresh off completing the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, Alcaraz is not just winning- he is learning how to win under pressure.
“If you want to find a solution to a problem, you should find it in a calm place,” Alcaraz said. “It’s something I am working on. When I am playing and getting mad, seeing I’m not at my best, I just get frustrated. That is not the place you will find solutions. In these matches, I have been really calm, thinking clearly and being positive. It’s in those places where you can find the solutions to a problem.”
Arthur Fils’ Resurgence Continues
Awaiting Alcaraz in Saturday’s final is a rejuvenated Arthur Fils, who defeated Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-6 in the other semi-final.
Fils delivered one of his most composed performances since returning from an eight-month layoff due to a lower back injury. The Frenchman saved seven of eight break points and dominated extended rallies, showcasing both physical readiness and tactical clarity.
Mensik, who had stunned Jannik Sinner earlier in the week, pushed hard in the second-set tie-break, but Fils held firm, sealing victory with authority to reach his first tour-level final since 2024.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has recently added former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic to his coaching team, and the partnership already appears to be yielding results.
Also Read: Qatar Open: List Of Winners In History
What to expect in Final
Saturday’s championship match promises explosive baseline exchanges and fearless shot-making.
Carlos Alcaraz enters as the favorite, armed with confidence, momentum, and a 2-0 head-to-head edge over Fils. Yet the Frenchman’s aggressive style and renewed fitness present a genuine challenge.
For Alcaraz, the Doha title would cap a remarkable opening stretch of the season and further cement his dominance at the top of the sport. For Fils, it represents a chance to announce his full return among the game’s elite.
Under the lights in Doha, one of the tour’s established superstars and one of its brightest young contenders will collide- with momentum, pride, and another ATP 500 trophy on the line.
