“I thought about a third set” – Alcaraz overcomes second-set scare against Royer to reach Khachanov quarterfinal
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz extended his unbeaten start to the 2026 season by defeating Frenchman Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5.
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2026 | © Qatar Open
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz extended his unbeaten start to the 2026 season by defeating Frenchman Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5 on Wednesday evening to secure his place in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open quarterfinals.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, playing his second match since completing the Career Grand Slam in Melbourne, appeared to be cruising toward a routine victory at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
After taking the opening set in just 34 minutes, Alcaraz faced a significant challenge from the 60th-ranked Royer in the second. The Frenchman, who had dominated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-0, 6-3 in the previous round, broke the top seed’s serve to establish a 5-2 lead. However, Alcaraz rediscovered his clinical edge, reeling off five consecutive games to avoid a deciding set and improve his 2026 record to 9-0
Alcaraz : “It’s just about fighting”
“Well obviously I have to be prepared for everything, he said after the match. There were some moments that I thought about a third set. I’m not gonna lie. But obviously it was just a small place in my mind where I was thinking of the third set. The rest I was working to find a solution. I’m really pleased and happy that I was able to find good rhythm again. It’s just about fighting. I know in tennis it’s about the tests. Sometimes it’s really difficult to close the sets, the matches. I had to stay there. Happy to turn it around and get the win in straight sets.”
The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against the No 7 seed Karen Khachanov. The 29-year-old Russian, a former Doha champion, advanced earlier in the day with a victory over Marton Fucsovics. This will be the 7th professional meeting between Alcaraz and Khachanov, with the Spaniard currently leading their head-to-head record 6-0.
Despite the loss, Royer remained optimistic at the net, telling Alcaraz: “I’ll come for you and Jannik, don’t worry. Some day.”
ATP Doha – Round of 16:
- C. Alcaraz (1) – V. Royer: 6-2, 7-5
- K. Khachanov (7) – M. Fucsovics: 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
- S. Tsitsipas – D. Medvedev (4): 6-3, 6-4
- A. Rublev (5) – F. Marozsan: 6-2, 6-4
- J. Lehecka (8) – Z. Bergs: 6-2, 6-1
- A. Fils – Q. Halys (LL): 6-1, 7-6[7]
- J. Mensik (6) – Z. Zhang (PR): 6-3, 6-2
- J. Sinner (2) – A. Popyrin: 6-3, 7-5
