Carlos Alcaraz turns sixth MP to sink Andrey Rublev, awaits resurgent Arthur Fils in Doha final | ATP Tour

Doha

Alcaraz turns 6th MP to sink Rublev, awaits resurgent Fils in Doha final

World No. 1 extends 11-game winning streak, Phils reach first finals since 2024

February 20, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz’s mental resolve was sorely tested by defending champion Andrey Rublev on Friday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, but the top seed finally found a way, converting his sixth match point to seal a surprise trip to the final.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings battled to an emphatic 7-6(3), 6-4 victory under the lights in Doha to extend his impressive start to 2026 to 11 matches. Although he twice failed to take the opening set and saw a 3-0 lead in the second quickly erased, Alcaraz remained calm under pressure to advance to the Qatari ATP 500 final for the first time in two hours, two minutes.

See you in the silver game 👉😁

World No.1 @carlosalcaraz breaks new world record in Doha 7-6(3), 6-4 🆚 Rublev@QatarTennis | #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/clGTuSEvTM

– ATP Tour (@atptour) February 20, 2026

“I know what I can do every time I step on the court, what I can do,” Alcaraz said when asked if he was ever surprised by himself. “The way I approach every game, I’m proud of it. It’s something I’m trying to get better at and it helps. I’m proud of myself. [for] to get better and grow.”

With his semi-final win, Alcaraz improved to 5-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against two-time Doha champion Rublev. Standing between the Spaniard and the title on Saturday will be Arthur Fils of France.

Since capturing the Australian Open title in January to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam, the 22-year-old Alcaraz has played with confidence, but his path to Doha needs persistence. After defeating former champion Karen Khachanov in three sets in the quarter-finals, the top seed faced more challenges from Rublev.

If you want to find a solution to a problem, you have to find it in a calm place,” said Alcaraz. “It’s something I’m working on. When I’m playing and I get angry, I see that I’m not at my best, I just get frustrated. It is not a place where you will find solutions. In these games, I was calm, positive and positive. In those places you can find solutions to the problem.”

Alcaraz gave up a 3-0 lead in the second set and later missed three match points when serving at 5-3 when Rublev went up for a last break, but the Spaniard refused to let the opportunity slip away. Regaining control with a quick break of her own, Alcaraz stayed strong until the death and eventually converted her sixth game point to secure victory and advance to her 34th tour final. World No. 1 is 25-8 in career finals, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

Fils completed the semi-final with six wins and 2024 finalist Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-5 to reach his first major final since lifting the ATP 500 trophy in Tokyo in 2024. he is playing his third game since returning from a back injury, which kept him out for eight months.

“It’s been a tough journey,” said Fils, the former World No.

Although Mensik fought back from a break short in the second set to force a break, Fils kept his composure and tenacity to close it out in two sets. The 21-year-old French player recently strengthened his team by adding 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic to his coaching staff.

“If you believe, maybe you can do it, so I believe 100 percent,” Fils said before his final against Alcaraz. “Let’s see tomorrow in court, but I will definitely come to court and fight.”