Sinner delivers overall clinic in Doha debut win over Machac
Jannik Sinner returned to winning ways on his Qatar ExxonMobil Open debut by defeating Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4 on Monday.
Jannik Sinner, 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
The world number 2 and second seed began his campaign in Doha with a ruthless performance against the Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac (6-1, 6-4). This encounter marked Sinner’s first competitive match since his five-set semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open on January 30.
The 24-year-old Italian dominated from the start, breaking early to secure a 26-minute opening set. Machac, the world number 31, was making his return to the tour following a knee injury that forced his retirement against Arthur Gea in Montpellier earlier this month.
Despite a more competitive second set, the 25-year-old Czech could not find a breakthrough against Sinner’s delivery. The Italian dropped only six points on serve throughout the entire 70-minute match, winning 35 of 41 total service points. Sinner has now won 21 of his last 22 matches on the ATP Tour.
Sinner – Popyrin next
He said on court: “I felt good on court. Physically I feel good. Now of course every match is gonna get tougher and tougher. Hopefully I’ll be ready for the next one.”
“I played a junior tournament here… I won’t say a long, long time ago but it was a little while ago. Last year I was here. Then I didn’t play. This time it feels even more special. Hanging out with good friends like Marco and I have many other friends here. It’s great. Seeing so many people watching and following tennis, this is what we’re here for. Making everything in the best possible way possible.”
He advances to the round of 16 where he will face Australian Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.
2026 Qatar ExxonMobil Open (Doha), 1st round
C. Alcaraz (1) – A. Rinderknech: to be played
V. Royer – P. Herbert (Q): 6-0, 6-3
M. Fucsovics – H. Habib (WC): to be played
K. Khachanov (7) – S. Mochizuki (LL): to be played
D. Medvedev (4) – J. Shang (PR): to be played
S. Tsitsipas – M. Echargui (WC): to be played
U. Humbert – F. Marozsan: to be played
A. Rublev (5) – J. de Jong: to be played
J. Lehecka (8) – J. Brooksby: to be played
Z. Bergs – G. Mpetshi Perricard: to be played
A. Fils – K. Majchrzak: 6-7[5], 6-3, 6-4
R. Carreno Busta (Q) – G. Halys (LL): to be played
J. Mensik (6) – J. Choinski (Q): 6-7[6], 6-2, 6-4
Z. Zhang (PR) – R. Carballes Baena (Q): to be played
A. Popyrin – M. Zayid (WC): 6-0, 6-2
J. Sinner (2) – T. Machac: 6-1, 6-4
