Carlos Alcaraz down Arthur Fils to win Qatar Open, extends perfect start to 2026
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the Qatar Open trophy after beating France's Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in the final in Doha on Feb 21, 2026.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DOHA – Carlos Alcaraz was at his devastating best on Feb 21, as he claimed the Qatar Open title with a ruthless 6-2, 6-1 win over Arthur Fils.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion needed just over 50 minutes to see off his French opponent and claim the 26th title of his career.
He dictated the match from the outset and won a remarkable 89 per cent of his first-serve points.
Following Australian Open success earlier in February – completing his career Grand Slam at just 22 – Alcaraz backed it up by storming to the title in Doha in his first tournament since Melbourne to extend his match-winning streak to 12.
“I came this year hungry for more,” said Alcaraz.
“I think after every tournament, we just have to set new goals. I’m just 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 with my team. I’m just playing great tennis and I’m really happy about this week. This trophy means a lot to me.”
This was his ninth ATP 500 trophy, which drew him level with Andy Murray for fourth in the category since its inception.
For 40th-ranked Fils, returning gradually to action after a lengthy injury absence, the Spanish world No. 1 was a step too far at the end of a fine week in which he recorded wins over top-10 seeds Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka.
The run to his first tour-level final since Tokyo in 2024 will propel the former world No. 14 up to 33rd in the next ATP rankings.
“It’s been eight long months with my injury,” said Fils.
“So in a time like this, you just have to think about the last eight months when I was struggling, not playing tennis. I just want to thank my team... Today was not the day but I think we did a hell of a job.”
On the women’s circuit, Jessica Pegula put on a clinical performance as she handed Elina Svitolina her first loss in a WTA 1000 final in a dominant 6-2, 6-4 victory to win the Dubai Tennis Championships on Feb 21.
World No. 5 Pegula, who turns 32 on Feb 24, became the second-oldest woman to win the tournament after fellow American Venus Williams, who won it in 2014 when she was 33.
“It’s a great birthday present for me,” Pegula said after ending a three-match losing streak in WTA 1000 finals.
“I get to celebrate by flying back home in a few hours. Super happy to go home with the trophy. It was a great week.”
World No. 9 Svitolina, a champion in Dubai in 2017 and 2018, has lots to be proud of, having reached her first WTA 1000 final since the 2018 Italian Open.
The Ukrainian, 31, returned to the top 10 earlier in February for the first time since coming back from maternity leave and has enjoyed a phenomenal start to 2026, amassing a 15-3 win-loss record. REUTERS, AFP
