Alcaraz Advances To Qatar Open Final After Beating Rublev To Face Fils

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Carlos Alcaraz booked a place in the Qatar Open final with a straight-sets win over defending champion Andrey Rublev, and will meet Arthur Fils in Saturday’s title match, extending a perfect start to 2026 and underlining early-season dominance on hard courts at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

The world number one defeated Rublev 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in two hours and a few minutes, reaching the Qatar Open final for the first time. It will be Alcaraz’s 34th tour-level final, adding to a 25-8 record in previous showpieces. The 22-year-old began 2026 by winning the Australian Open and now has 11 straight victories.

Rublev applied pressure early in the semi-final, creating two break points in the opening set, but Alcaraz resisted. The Spaniard then surged ahead 4-2, only for Rublev to respond and level at 5-5. Alcaraz served for the set and earned a set point, yet Rublev broke back and forced a tie-break.

The tie-break proved decisive, as Alcaraz controlled the rallies and took it 7-3. Momentum carried into the second set when Alcaraz sprinted to a 3-0 lead. Rublev again recovered strongly, pulling back to 3-3. Serving for the match, Alcaraz missed three match points, then needed three more before sealing victory with a final break.

Arthur Fils secured the other place in the Qatar Open final by overcoming Jakub Mensik later on Friday. Fils closed out a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win in one hour and 38 minutes. Mensik had eliminated Jannik Sinner on Thursday, but Fils handled the key moments and held serve under pressure.

Alcaraz’s consistency at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open adds to strong statistics at tour level. The semi-final win confirmed a 34th career final, with a 25-8 record so far. The current streak of 11 match wins includes the Australian Open run, highlighting form as Alcaraz targets another trophy against Fils in Doha.

I know what I am able to do every time I step on the court, what I am capable of doing, Alcaraz said when asked if he is ever amazed by himself. The way that I am approaching every match, I'm just really proud about it. It's something I am trying to be better at, and it's paying off. I'm proud of myself [for] getting better and maturing.

Alcaraz now heads into Saturday’s Qatar Open final with confidence from an unbeaten start to the year and a hard-fought victory over Rublev, while Fils arrives after managing tense moments against Mensik, setting up a matchup between an established world number one and a rising French challenger in Doha.