“Getting better and mature I guess” : Alcaraz survives Rublev barrage to reach maiden Doha final
Carlos Alcaraz won against Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Friday evening and will face Arthur Fils.
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2026 | © Exxson Mobil Open
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz moved within one victory of a 10th consecutive match win by defeating defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6(3), 6-4 on Friday evening.
The 22-year-old Spaniard secured his spot in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final after a high-octane encounter that lasted 2 hours and 3 minutes at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The victory maintains Alcaraz’s perfect 11-0 start to the 2026 season. Despite an open match that featured 25 total break point opportunities –13 for Alcaraz and 12 for Rublev – the top seed displayed superior poise during the match’s critical junctures.
The opening set was a roller-coaster affair where Alcaraz initially led 5-3 before uncharacteristically losing two consecutive service games. However, the Spaniard regained his footing in a clinical tiebreak to take the lead after 63 minutes.
In the second set, Alcaraz served for the match at 5-3, but the world No 14 Rublev fought back to earn a break point for 5-5. Alcaraz denied the comeback, eventually converting his sixth match point to reach his first career final in Doha.
Alcaraz ties… Ferrero
“I know what I’m able to do every time that I step on court,” Alcaraz said when asked if his shot-making amazed him, “(so) not really. “For me it’s great. Obviously, the way I’m approaching every match, I’m just really proud about it. I’m trying to be better at that… it’s paying off. All the focus and attention. I’m just happy and proud about myself with how I’m getting better and getting mature I guess.”
With this victory, Alcaraz reaches his 34th career final, tying his former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero for the sixth-most finals by a Spanish man in the Open Era. He now trails only Rafael Nadal (131), Manuel Orantes (72), David Ferrer (52), Carlos Moya (44), and Sergi Bruguera (35) on the national leaderboard.
Alcaraz has now reached the final or better in 12 of his last 13 tournament appearances, the Rolex Paris Masters being the only exception. He will face either Frenchman Arthur Fils or Czech Jakub Mensik in Saturday’s championship match.
