Carlos Alcaraz overcame Karen Khachanov in three sets to advance to the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The world No. 1 extended his perfect 10-0 record for 2026 following a contentious quarterfinal match that included a time violation dispute. Alcaraz will next face defending champion Andrey Rublev.
Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off completing his career Grand Slam with a seventh major title at the Australian Open, continued his dominant start to 2026 at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. The Spaniard, ranked No. 1 with 13,150 points, defeated Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5 in the second round to reach the quarterfinals. In that match, Royer, ranked No. 60, led 5-2 in the second set before Alcaraz won five straight games to secure victory in one hour and 30 minutes. After the handshake, Royer told Alcaraz, “I’ll come to you and Jannik, don’t worry. Some day.” Alcaraz replied, “I will wait for you, man.”
In the quarterfinals on Thursday, Alcaraz faced Karen Khachanov in a tight contest, prevailing 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-3 over two hours and 27 minutes. Khachanov took the first set in a tiebreak after saving a set point, but Alcaraz broke serve in the second set and again in the third game's fifth game to win five of the final six games. The match featured intense baseline rallies, with Alcaraz improving to 6-0 in his head-to-head against Khachanov. Post-match, Alcaraz said, “It was a really close and tight match... I’m just really proud about the way that I [fought].”
During the first set at 4-4, following a lengthy rally, umpire Marija Cicak issued a time violation warning to Alcaraz for exceeding the 25-second limit between points. Alcaraz disputed it, asking, “I’m not allowed to go to the towel?” Cicak explained she had reset the clock after Alcaraz retrieved his towel. The debate continued during the changeover, with Alcaraz requesting the violation be canceled, but Cicak replied, “I can’t invent more time.” One source reported Alcaraz commenting, “The ATP rules are always s—.”
Alcaraz's run follows a grueling Australian Open semifinal win over Alexander Zverev in five sets lasting five hours and 27 minutes, which included controversy over a medical timeout for his right adductor. Zverev questioned its legitimacy under cramping rules, but Alcaraz clarified it was for a specific injury. Now 10-0 for the season and 12-0 in tour-level quarterfinals since last year's Doha loss, Alcaraz faces Andrey Rublev in the semifinals. Rublev, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(2), has won eight straight in Doha. Alcaraz noted the presence of No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the draw motivates him: “When Jannik is in the draw, it’s much more likely that I’ll reach the final rounds... those are the matches that really make me improve.” Sinner advanced past Alexei Popyrin and will play Jakub Menšík next.
