Doha, Feb 21 (NationPress) Carlos Alcaraz faced a challenging match against the defending champion Andrey Rublev at the Qatar Open on Friday, but the top seed successfully secured his spot in the final by converting his sixth match point during a nail-biting finish.

The World No. 1 achieved a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory, extending his unbeaten streak in 2026 to 11 matches. Although he struggled to close the opening set on two occasions and allowed a 3-0 lead to slip in the second, Alcaraz remained composed during critical moments, marking his first appearance in the Doha ATP 500 final after two hours and two minutes on the court.

“I understand my capabilities every time I step onto the court. The way I approach each match fills me with pride, and it’s gratifying to see my efforts towards improvement paying off,” Alcaraz remarked when asked about his self-reflection, as reported by ATP.

This victory improved Alcaraz’s head-to-head record against Rublev to 5-1. In Saturday’s final, the Spaniard will face France’s Arthur Fils as he aims for the title.

Since winning the Australian Open in January, becoming the youngest man to achieve a Career Grand Slam, the 22-year-old has shown remarkable confidence. However, his campaign in Doha has tested his resilience. After overcoming former champion Karen Khachanov in a three-set quarter-final, Alcaraz was once again pushed to his limits by Rublev.

“To find solutions to problems, it’s essential to remain calm. I’ve been working on this aspect. When I play and feel frustrated, I'm not at my best. It's important to maintain clarity and positivity in these situations,” Alcaraz added.

Despite watching a 3-0 lead vanish in the second set and missing three match points while serving at 5-3, Alcaraz did not let the momentum shift significantly. When Rublev mounted one last challenge and earned a break, Alcaraz immediately countered by breaking back.

Staying composed in the final moments, the World No. 1 eventually seized his sixth match point to secure victory and reach his 34th tour-level final, boasting a 25-8 record in championship matches, according to ATP.

Earlier, Arthur Fils earned his place in the final by defeating sixth seed Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-5. This victory marks the Frenchman’s first tour-level final since winning the ATP 500 title in Tokyo in 2024.

Mensik, the reigning Miami champion who stunned World No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, couldn't replicate that performance against Fils. The 21-year-old is playing in just his third tournament since returning from an eight-month hiatus due to a back injury.

“It’s been a challenging journey. Eight months without playing tennis felt incredibly long. Now, returning to a final feels even more rewarding,” Fils expressed.

Although Mensik managed to erase a break deficit in the second set to send it to a tie-break, Fils, a former World No. 14, stood firm to win the match in straight sets. Recently, he has also strengthened his coaching team by adding Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion, to his staff.

“If you believe in yourself, you can achieve great things. I have complete faith, and I’m ready to fight on the court tomorrow,” Fils stated ahead of his showdown with Alcaraz.