Carlos Alcaraz’s Qatar Open campaign gained steam as he dismantled Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5 in straight sets, overcoming a mid-second-set wobble to reach the quarterfinals. From 2-5 down, the Spaniard won five games in a row, a testament to his clutch play under pressure.
Speaking to reporters, Alcaraz shared his joy: ‘Finding my rhythm again and playing good tennis makes me so happy. It’s all about one point at a time—closing matches isn’t always easy. I admit, I pondered a third set briefly, but reversing it straight-sets style is perfect.’
Next up is a blockbuster against seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov, last year’s winner, who outlasted Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Alcaraz rides a blistering 27-match win streak on outdoor hards, dating back to his Cincinnati title last summer. After claiming the Australian Open and youngest-ever career Grand Slam, the 22-year-old is hungry for his first Doha crown, avenging last year’s quarterfinal loss.
The draw’s other quarterfinal features Andrey Rublev, the fifth seed and title defender, against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Rublev beat Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-4; Tsitsipas toppled fourth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4, marking his first quarterfinal in nearly a year.
With stars aligning in Doha, Alcaraz’s streak versus Khachanov’s home-soil defense sets the stage for potential fireworks.