Did Alcaraz Triumph Over Rinderknech in Doha for His 150th Hard-Court Victory?
Synopsis
Carlos Alcaraz's incredible journey continues as he notched his 150th hard-court victory in Doha. After a challenging match against Arthur Rinderknech, the young Spaniard reflects on his performance and looks ahead to the next rounds. Will he reclaim his title from last year? Find out more in this thrilling coverage.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz secured his 150th hard-court victory.
He saved two set points in a challenging second set.
Alcaraz remains undefeated this season at 8-0.
His next opponent is Frenchman Valentin Royer .
He aims to improve on his last year's quarter-final exit.
Doha, Feb 18 (NationPress) In his initial match since making history as the youngest player to achieve the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz fought through to defeat Arthur Rinderknech with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (5) during the Qatar Open.
The 22-year-old showcased his resilience by saving two set points while serving in a nail-biting second set, ultimately securing victory in the tie-break. This win marks his 150th tour-level hard-court victory and maintains his flawless record at the start of the 2026 season, now standing at 8-0, according to ATP reports.
"It was really tough. Arthur is a very dangerous opponent. No one looks forward to facing him in the first round... I'm pleased with my performance. I managed to navigate through the challenging moments during the match. I remained calm and positive, playing exceptional tennis," Alcaraz commented.
As he aims to surpass last year's quarter-final exit in Doha against Jiri Lehecka, the current world No. 1 is set to face French player Valentin Royer next.
In the potential championship match, he could only meet second seed Sinner, which would be the 17th encounter in their captivating rivalry.
Before that, Alcaraz might have to contend with a quarter-final match against Karen Khachanov.
The defending champion, Khachanov, overcame lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 and will face Marton Fucsovics in the second round.
Later, Andrey Rublev, the defending champion, began his campaign with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jesper de Jong. The fifth seed, who also won the Doha trophy in 2020 when it was an ATP 250 event, will next challenge Fabian Marozsan, who defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-1.
Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off his Doha campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Tunisian wildcard Moez Echargui, setting up a highly anticipated second-round match against 2023 champion and longtime rival Daniil Medvedev.
Tsitsipas trails 4-10 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, although they haven't faced each other since Shanghai in 2024.
Point of View
It's essential to highlight the impressive journey of Carlos Alcaraz in the Qatar Open. His remarkable achievements at such a young age not only showcase his talent but also position him as a prominent figure in tennis. This match against Rinderknech further cements his status as a player to watch this season.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Alcaraz vs Rinderknech?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Arthur Rinderknech with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (5).
How many hard-court wins does Alcaraz have now?
With this victory, Carlos Alcaraz has achieved his 150th tour-level hard-court win.
Who will Alcaraz face next in the tournament?
Carlos Alcaraz is set to face French player Valentin Royer in his next match.
What is Alcaraz's current winning streak?
Alcaraz has started the 2026 season with an impressive 8-0 record.
What previous result did Alcaraz achieve in Doha?
Last year, Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals in Doha but was defeated by Jiri Lehecka.
