Doha: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz continued his sensational start to the 2026 season, clinching the Qatar Open title in emphatic fashion with a 6-2, 6-1 demolition of France’s Arthur Fils in Saturday’s ATP 500 final.
The 22-year-old Spaniard needed just 50 minutes to overpower the resurgent Fils, delivering one of the most commanding performances of his career to lift his ninth ATP 500 crown. The victory comes just 20 days after Alcaraz became the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, underlining his growing dominance on the global stage.
“I came this year hungry for more,” Alcaraz said after the match, reflecting on his blistering run. “After every tournament, we have to set new goals. I’m really happy and proud of everything I have done with my team on and off the court. It’s been a really strong start to the year. It wasn’t easy… I had to be strong mentally. This trophy means a lot to me.”
Alcaraz, who exited in the quarter-finals in Doha last year, showed no signs of vulnerability this time. He broke Fils in the opening game and raced through the first set in just 28 minutes, dictating play with ferocious groundstrokes and breathtaking court coverage.
The Spaniard’s intensity did not drop in the second set. A double break for a 3-0 lead triggered visible frustration from Fils, who smashed his racquet as Alcaraz tightened his grip on the contest. Although the Frenchman managed to get on the scoreboard to loud cheers from the crowd, it proved little more than consolation. Alcaraz sealed the second set in 24 minutes, finishing the match without facing a single break point.
The statistics reflected the one-sided nature of the final. Alcaraz fired 18 winners compared to Fils’ three and extended his winning streak to 12 matches. The triumph was his 12th win of the season and the 26th title of his burgeoning career.
For Fils, currently ranked World No. 40 and returning strongly after an eight-month injury layoff last year, the defeat did little to dampen his spirit. “You played very good, you’re a hell of a champion — it’s a joke,” he said with a smile during the trophy ceremony. “Congrats to your team and to you, you did an unbelievable job.”
With the Doha crown, Alcaraz drew level with Andy Murray for the fourth-highest number of ATP 500 titles since the category’s inception in 2009 — yet another milestone in what is rapidly becoming a historic career.
As the tennis calendar gathers momentum, Alcaraz’s message to the rest of the field is unmistakable: 2026 is shaping up to be his year.
Source: ATP, BBC
Photo credit: Carlos alcaraz/X
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