Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after defeating France’s Arthur Rinderknech throughout their males’s singles match on the Qatar Open tennis match in Doha on February 17, 2026.
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to motion following his Australian Open success as he beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) within the first spherical in Doha on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).
Alcaraz, who grew to become the youngest man to finish a profession Grand Slam together with his victory in Melbourne, noticed off the Thirtieth-ranked Rinderknech in two intently contested units.
“It was actually tough. Arthur is a very harmful participant. No one desires to play in opposition to him within the first spherical,” stated Alcaraz.
“I am pleased with the extent. I am pleased that I acquired by tough moments within the match. I am pleased that I stayed calm and optimistic, and performed nice tennis.”
The world primary will face one other Frenchman in spherical two, Sixtieth-ranked Valentin Royer.
Alcaraz took the primary set after breaking within the fifth recreation however confronted dogged resistance from Rinderknech, who introduced up his first break factors of the match with the highest seed serving to drive a tie-break within the second set.
The Spaniard saved each after which closed out victory within the tie-break, ripping a forehand down the road on match level.
Alcaraz’s chief rival Jannik Sinner is on the opposite aspect of the draw. No participant aside from Alcaraz or Sinner has received a tour-level title at an occasion that includes each of them since Andrey Rublev lifted the trophy in Madrid in Could 2024.
Rublev booked his place within the second spherical with a straight-forward 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dutchman Jesper De Jong.
Alcaraz, who misplaced within the quarter-finals on his Qatar Open debut a yr in the past, might face one in all three former champions within the draw, Karen Khachanov, within the final eight if he will get previous Royer on Wednesday.
Seventh seed Khachanov wanted three units to beat Japanese fortunate loser Shintaro Mochizuki, whereas Stefanos Tsitsipas downed Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui to line up a gathering with 2023 winner Daniil Medvedev.
Jiri Lehecka, who knocked Alcaraz out of final yr’s match, swept previous American Jenson Brooksby in straight units in his opening match.
Printed – February 18, 2026 10:49 am IST
