Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after defeating France’s Arthur Rinderknech at some stage in their men’s singles match at the Qatar Commence tennis match in Doha on February 17, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to action following his Australian Commence success as he beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the most critical spherical in Doha on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).
Alcaraz, who changed into the youngest man to total a career Big Slam along with his victory in Melbourne, saw off the thirtieth-ranked Rinderknech in two closely contested objects.
“It was really difficult. Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round,” said Alcaraz.
“I’m happy with the level. I’m happy that I got through difficult moments in the match. I’m happy that I stayed calm and positive, and played great tennis.”
The world number one will face one more Frenchman in spherical two, Sixtieth-ranked Valentin Royer.
Alcaraz took the most critical dwelling after breaking in the fifth recreation however confronted dogged resistance from Rinderknech, who brought up his first destroy points of the match with the tip seed serving to force a tie-destroy in the 2d dwelling.
The Spaniard saved each and each and then closed out victory in the tie-destroy, ripping a forehand down the line on match point.
Alcaraz’s chief rival Jannik Sinner is on the opposite aspect of the plan. No participant as adversarial to Alcaraz or Sinner has obtained a tour-level title at an tournament featuring each and each of them since Andrey Rublev lifted the trophy in Madrid in May perhaps well perchance simply 2024.
Rublev booked his space in the 2d spherical with a straight-forward 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dutchman Jesper De Jong.
Alcaraz, who misplaced in the quarter-finals on his Qatar Commence debut a 365 days in the past, could perhaps face one of three weak champions in the plan, Karen Khachanov, in the final eight if he gets previous Royer on Wednesday.
Seventh seed Khachanov wanted three objects to conquer Japanese lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki, whereas Stefanos Tsitsipas downed Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui to line up a meeting with 2023 winner Daniil Medvedev.
Jiri Lehecka, who knocked Alcaraz out of ultimate 365 days’s match, swept previous American Jenson Brooksby in straight objects in his opening match.
Printed – February 18, 2026 10:49 am IST
