Doha
Alcaraz converts 6th MP to sink Rublev, reach Doha final
World No. 1 awaits Mensik or Fils in Saturday’s ATP 500 final
February 20, 2026
Karim JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz in semi-final action against Andrey Rublev on Friday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.
By Jerome Coombe
Carlos Alcaraz’s mental resolve was heavily tested by defending champion Andrey Rublev on Friday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, but the top seed ultimately found a way through, converting his sixth match point to seal a dramatic passage into the final.
The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings battled for a gripping 7-6(3), 6-4 victory under the lights in Doha to extend his perfect start to 2026 to 11 matches. Although he twice failed to serve out the opening set and saw a 3-0 lead in the second quickly erased, Alcaraz remained steady under pressure to advance to the Qatari ATP 500 final for the first time after two hours, two minutes.
See you in the silverware showdown 👉😁
World No.1 @carlosalcaraz breaks new ground in Doha 7-6(3), 6-4 🆚 Rublev@QatarTennis | #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/clGTuSEvTM
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 20, 2026
“I know what I am able to do every time I step on the court, what I am capable of doing,” Alcaraz said when asked if he is ever amazed by himself. “The way that I am approaching every match, I’m just really proud about it. It’s something I am trying to be better at and it’s paying off. I’m proud of myself [for] getting better and maturing.”
Awaiting Alcaraz in Saturday’s final will be sixth seed and 2024 finalist Jakub Mensik — who defeated World No. 2 Jannik Sinner on Thursday — or France’s Arthur Fils. With his semi-final victory, Alcaraz stretched his Lexus ATP Head2Head lead over two-time Doha champion Rublev to 5-1.
Since capturing the Australian Open crown in January to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam, the 22-year-old Alcaraz has played with assurance, but his path in Doha has required persistence. After rallying past former champion Karen Khachanov in three sets in the quarter-finals, the top seed faced more challenges against Rublev.
“If you want to find a solution to a problem, you should find it in a calm place,” Alcaraz said. “It’s something I am working on. When I am playing and getting mad, seeing I’m not at my best, I just get frustrated. That is not the place you will find solutions. In these matches, I have been really calm, thinking clearly and being positive. It’s in those places where you can find the solutions to a problem.”
Alcaraz squandered a 3-0 lead in the second set and later missed three match points on serve at 5-3 when Rublev mounted one final surge to break, but the Spaniard refused to let the opportunity pass. Regaining control with an immediate break himself, Alcaraz stayed composed through a nervy end and eventually converted his sixth match point to secure victory and advance to his 34th tour-level final. The World No. 1 is 25-8 in career finals, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
