Alcaraz advances to the second round of the Qatar Open

Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to action after his success at the Australian Open as he defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the first round in Doha on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).

Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to complete a Grand Slam career with his victory in Melbourne, defeated 30th-ranked Rinderknech in two closely contested sets.

“It was really difficult. Arthur is a very dangerous player. Nobody wants to play him in the first round,” Alcaraz said.

“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 another Frenchman, Valentin Royer, who is ranked 60th, in the second round.

Alcaraz took the first set after a break in the fifth game, but faced stubborn resistance from Rinderknech, who put forward his first break points of the match as the top seed served to force a tie-break in the second set.

The Spaniard saved both and then sealed the win in the tiebreak, ripping a forehand down the line on match point.

Alcaraz’s main rival Jannik Sinner is on the other side of the draw. No player other than Alcaraz or Sinner has won a tour-level title at an event they have both attended since Andrei Rublev lifted the trophy in Madrid in May 2024.

Rublev booked his place in the second round with an outright 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dutchman Jesper De Jong.

Alcaraz, who lost in the quarter-finals on his Qatar Open debut a year ago, could face one of the draw’s three former champions, Karen Khachanov, in the last eight if he gets past Royer on Wednesday.

Seventh seed Khachanov needed three sets to beat Japanese lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki, while Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Tunisian wildcard Moez Echargui to set up a meeting with 2023 winner Daniil Medvedev.

Jiri Lehecka, who eliminated Alcaraz in last year’s tournament, defeated American Jenson Brooksby in straight sets in his opening match.