Alcaraz overcomes Khachanov in Doha thriller to maintain perfect 2026
Carlos Alcaraz won against Karen Khachanov 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday evening. He’ll play Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 5 seed, in the next round
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2026 | © Qatar Exxson Mobil Open
Carlos Alcaraz reached his first Qatar ExxonMobil Open semifinal on Thursday evening by rallying past Karen Khachanov 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3 in an intense quarterfinal battle.
The world No 1 faced his sternest test of the season at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex against the seventh-seeded Khachanov. After failing to convert set points in a grueling 70-minute opening frame, the 22-year-old Spaniard fell behind in a tiebreak dominated by the Russian’s powerful baseline play.
Alcaraz, who briefly argued with chair umpire Marija Cicak over a time violation during the match, eventually found another gear to break Khachanov early in both the second and third sets. He won five of the final six games to secure his 10th consecutive victory of the year.
Alcaraz : 10-0 in 2026
“It was a really close and tight match. In the first set I had a few break points that I couldn’t make. It was really tough. Karen was playing great. I knew I had my chances but it’s just that I didn’t take it in the first set. It was time to keep going. Try to keep fighting. Waiting for my chances, trying to make it. I think from the 2nd and 3rd set I did it. I’m really really proud about the way I did it and fought.”
The victory extended Alcaraz’s undefeated record to 10-0 in 2026. At the net, a smiling Khachanov playfully asked the Spaniard: “You never get tired? One time get tired. One time.”
Alcaraz will face defending champion Andrey Rublev in the semifinals after the fifth seed defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(2).
