In a display of sheer grit, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz stormed back from the brink to defeat Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5 at the Qatar Open, booking his quarterfinal showdown with Karen Khachanov. Down 2-5 in the second set, the Spaniard flipped the script with five consecutive games, showcasing the mental toughness that defines champions.
‘I know tennis inside out—it’s those single points that matter most, and sometimes finishing strong is the hardest part,’ Alcaraz said after the win. ‘I won’t lie; a third set crossed my mind, but pulling it off in straights feels amazing.’
Khachanov, the seventh seed and reigning champion from 2024, advanced by battling past Marton Fucsovics in three sets: 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Alcaraz’s outdoor hard court dominance continues with a 27-match streak unbroken since August’s Cincinnati Open victory. The 22-year-old phenom, who etched his name in history by becoming the youngest career Grand Slam holder at the Australian Open, seeks redemption after last year’s quarterfinal exit here.
Meanwhile, the quarter’s other matchup pits defending champ Andrey Rublev against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Rublev cruised past Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-4, as Tsitsipas upset Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 to end a long quarterfinal drought.
As Doha heats up, Alcaraz’s quest for a maiden Qatar title adds intrigue to an already stacked draw, promising edge-of-your-seat action.