World number one Carlos Alcaraz continued his strong start to the 2026 season with an impressive straight-sets victory over Andrey Rublev on Friday, February 20, to reach the final of the Qatar Open in Doha.
Playing in front of a packed crowd, Alcaraz produced a composed and confident performance to defeat the defending champion 7-6(3), 6-4 in a tightly contested semifinal encounter. The opening set saw both players hold serve in a high-quality exchange before Alcaraz raised his level in the tiebreak, using his speed and shot-making variety to take control. He carried that momentum into the second set, securing a crucial break and maintaining his advantage to seal the match in two sets.
The victory extends Alcaraz’s unbeaten run in 2026 and underlines his growing authority on hard courts, where he continues to showcase a blend of power, creativity and tactical maturity. Rublev, known for his relentless baseline aggression, pushed the Spaniard throughout the contest but was unable to find a way past the world number one’s defence and precision at key moments.
With the win, Alcaraz advances to the championship match where he will face rising French star Arthur Fils, who booked his place in the final after defeating Jakub Mensik in the other semifinal.
The highly anticipated final promises an exciting clash of styles, with Alcaraz aiming to add another ATP title to his growing collection, while Fils looks to capture one of the biggest trophies of his young career. Tennis fans can expect a thrilling showdown in Doha as two of the sport’s brightest talents battle for Qatar Open glory.
