Jannik Sinner returns to form with assertive Doha debut victory over Tomas Machac | ATP tour | Tennis

Doha

Sinner returns to form with assertive Doha debut

The second seed only drops six points on serve, causing Popyrin to crash into R2
February 16, 2026

Jannik Sinner began turning the pain of recent heartbreak into renewed purpose in Doha on Monday, as he thrilled the crowd with a standout debut performance at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

Two weeks after his five-set defeat to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Sinner returned to winning ways with a rock-solid 6-1, 6-4 victory over Tomas Machac at the hard-court ATP 500 event in Doha. With his win in 70 minutes, the second seed extended his winning streak at this level to 11 matches after winning titles in Beijing and Vienna last October.

Dazzling Doha debut 🌟@QatarTennis | #qatarexxonmobilopen | @janniksin pic.twitter.com/PKZTLAjtKf

— ATP tour (@atptour) February 16, 2026

“Today was a bit worse than yesterday,” Sinner said of the windy conditions in Doha. “But you have to adapt to every situation and condition on the pitch. We played a few games before that too, so I knew a little [about] what to expect. I felt good on the track today. Physically I feel good. Every match gets harder, so hopefully I’ll be ready for the next one.”

In his ruthlessly efficient performance in the first round, Sinner dropped just six points on serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and expertly sparked an explosive start to Machac’s second set. After dropping three match points on the return – in the ninth game of the second set, which featured scintillating winners from both men – Sinner sealed victory with a statement finish behind his own delivery.

With top seed and fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz also in the Doha field, Sinner will look to maintain the pair’s stranglehold as they share a draw. Since Andrei Rublev’s triumph in Madrid in May 2024, no player other than Sinner and Alcaraz has captured a tour-level title at an event featuring the two of them.

Sinner, the No. 2 player in the PIF ATP rankings, will next face Alexei Popyrin, who eased past Qatari wildcard Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-0, 6-2.

Daniil Medvedev bounced back from his first round defeat in Rotterdam with a clinical 6-4, 6-2 victory over Shang Juncheng in Doha. The 30-year-old, who triumphed in 2023, is one of three former champions in the draw alongside Andrei Rublev and Karen Khachanov.

Jakub Mensik and Arthur Fils also booked their places in the second round in Doha on Monday, rallying for three-set victories. Sixth seed Mensik defeated qualifier Jan Choinski 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4 and Fils defeated Kamil Majchrzak 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.