Alcaraz to the Qatar Open 2026 Semifinal, Maintain an Unbeaten Record in 2026

JAKARTA - World number one Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has secured a place in the 2026 Qatar Open semi-finals after coming from behind to defeat former champion Karen Khachanov.

Alcaraz fought hard in a three-set match for two hours and 27 minutes and won 6-7 (1), 6-4, and 6-3 on Thursday, February 19, 2026, WIB night. The result maintained his unbeaten record in the calendar this season and also secured his first semi-final ticket at the ATP 500 tournament.

"This is a very tight and intense match. In the first set, I had a few break points and couldn't take advantage of them. There was also a set point and I failed. So, it was very difficult," said Alcaraz as quoted from the ATP official website.

The first set was intense with both players wasting three break point opportunities they got. Khachanov, the seventh seed, even saved a set point before dominating in the tie-break and winning the opening set.

In the second set, the serve was the dominant factor for Alcaraz. He converted one break point in the fifth game to take the lead and Khachanov held one set point, but eventually had to admit defeat.

The momentum continued in the deciding set when Alcaraz again broke his opponent's serve and won five of the last six games without facing a break point.

"I think Karen played amazingly, but I knew I had a chance. I just didn't take it in the first set," said Alcaraz, who will next face defending champion Andrey Rublev in the last four.

This victory made Alcaraz beautify his win-loss record to 6-0 over Khachanov. He also recorded a 10-0 win-loss record this season and 12 consecutive victories in the quarterfinal round of the tour level since his defeat in Doha last year.

Meanwhile, Rublev advanced to the semifinals after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas with a score of 6-3 and 7-6 (2). The world number 14 extended his winning record in Doha to eight games and tied their meeting record to 6-6.

In another match, world number two Jannik Sinner is confirmed to be eliminated. The Italian player went home in the last eight after suffering a defeat against Jakub Mensik.