Doha, 20 February (H.S.): Thrilling quarterfinal action unfolded on Thursday at the Qatar Open tennis tournament, where Spain's Carlos Alcaraz battled past Karen Khachanov in a gritty encounter to secure his semifinal spot, while world number two Jannik Sinner suffered a shock exit against Jakub Mensik.

Playing his first tournament since completing a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, Alcaraz overcame an initial setback by dropping the first set 6-7 (3/7) in a tiebreak before mounting a superb comeback to claim the next two sets 6-4, 6-3.

He now faces Andrey Rublev in the semifinals after the Russian dispatched Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).

In the day's other upset, sixth seed Mensik ousted Sinner 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3, ending the Italian's campaign abruptly. Mensik, who entered with a winning mindset, will next meet Frenchman Arthur Fils, who advanced by defeating Jiri Lehecka in straight sets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar