Doha, 18 February (H.S.): World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz staged a commanding comeback at the Qatar Open 2026 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, defeating France's Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a grueling first-round clash at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, advancing to face compatriot Valentin Royer in the last 32.

Fresh from clinching the Australian Open title—rendering him the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam at 22—Alcaraz endured fierce resistance from the No. 30-ranked Rinderknech, securing a pivotal fifth-game service break in the opener before navigating two set points against him in the second, ultimately triumphing via a tiebreak forehand winner after 28 winners and 76% net efficacy.

Post-match, the Spaniard lauded his adversary: This was an extremely tough match. Arthur is a very dangerous player—no one wants to face him in the first round. I'm delighted to have maintained patience in hard moments, stayed positive, and delivered superb tennis.

Meanwhile, a blockbuster second-round collision looms between 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev (No. 4 seed) and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the latter advancing 6-4, 6-4 over Tunisian wildcard Moez Echargui; Medvedev leads their head-to-head 10-4, including a 2024 Shanghai straight-sets verdict, atop his Doha mastery versus Tsitsipas's quarterfinal ceiling.

No. 7 seed Karen Khachanov ousted Japan's lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki in three sets, eyeing a potential Alcaraz quarterfinal, while Czech Jiri Lehecka—who stunned Alcaraz here last year—dispatched American Jensen Brooksby in straight sets for a potent start.

With Jannik Sinner in the opposite half—ensuring an Alcaraz summit absent external interruption since Madrid 2024—the ATP 500 spectacle intensifies through ensuing last-32 duels.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar