Doha
Alcaraz rallies past Khachanov in Doha, hits best of 10 in 2026
The Spaniard will meet defending champion Rublev in the final four
February 19, 2026
AFP/Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz meets Karen Khachanov in three sets on Thursday evening in Doha.
Written by Andy West
Carlos Alcaraz won the Doha clash on Thursday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open to preserve his perfect start to 2026.
The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings defeated Karen Khachanov 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-3 to seal her semi-final spot at the tough ATP 500. With both players hitting the ball with relentless power from the baseline, Alcaraz held her nerve at key moments and met defending champion Andrew.
👉👂 Carlos’ stunning comeback 👉👂@QatarTennis | #QatarExxonMobilOpen | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/o8DheMoUfr
– ATP Tour (@atptour) February 19, 2026
“It was a close and tight match,” Alcaraz said after improving to 6-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Khachanov. “In the first half I got a few break points and failed to make them, one point I failed, so it was really difficult.
“I think Karen was playing well, but I knew I had my chances. I didn’t take them in the first set, so it was time to keep trying to keep fighting. Wait for my chances and try to take them in the second set. I’m proud of how I did [fought].”
After backing up his Australian Open title by reaching the first semifinal of Doha, Alcaraz improved to 10-0 this season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The 22-year-old is now 12-0 at quarter-level since losing to Jiri Lehecka in Doha last year.
Both Alcaraz and Khachanov gave up three break points in the opening set that featured some impressive exchanges across the court. It was Khachanov, after saving a set point at 4-5, 40 / Ad, who raised his level in fashion control to victory. Another highlight of the set was the seventh seed’s impressive dig to clear 4/0 at the break, and he closed it out to win his second set in his six tour-level meetings with Alcaraz.
Serve dominated in the early stages of the second set as the game cooled down a bit after the relentless intensity of the opening set. Alcaraz was ready to take his chance when it came, though: After Khachanov pushed a forehand volley long to give Alcaraz two break points, he sealed the break and rode it all the way to the second set.
With his love of momentum, Alcaraz picked a rasping crosscourt pass to break the fifth game of the tiebreaker, and the Spaniard eventually won five of the last six games to wrap up a two-hour, 27-minute victory in which he did not face a break point after the opening set.
Earlier on Thursday, Rublev extended his streak of wins in Doha to eight with a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
World No. 14, the champion in the Qatari capital in 2020 and 2025, saved five break points against Tstisipas in their first meeting since the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals. With his 96-minute win, Rublev evened the Lexus ATP Head2Head doubles series at 6-6.
