Doha
\n Alcaraz reigns again in 2026, flies past Fils for Doha title<\/p>\n
20 days after completing the Career Grand Slam, the World No. 1 triumphs again<\/p>\n
February 21, 2026<\/p>\n
Karim JAAFAR \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz wins his 26th tour-level trophy.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>\u2019s blistering surge through 2026 rolled on in Doha where he surged into title glory at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old Spaniard delivered another statement performance on Saturday at the ATP 500 event, sweeping past resurgent Frenchman Arthur Fils<\/a> 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes to secure the trophy. Alcaraz’s triumph in Qatar comes just 20 days after becoming the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n UNSTOPPABLE. UNBEATEN \ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n World No.1 @carlosAlcaraz<\/a> wins the title in Doha and extends his winning streak to 12-0 in 2026 @QatarTennis<\/a> | #QatarExxonMobilOpen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WivHbArl2l<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cI came this year hungry for more,\u201d said Alcaraz, who fell in the Doha quarter-finals in 2025. \u201cI think after every tournament, we just have to set new goals. I\u2019m just really happy and proud of everything I have done with my team on and off the court.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a really strong start to the year. It wasn\u2019t easy\u2026 I had to be strong mentally with my team. I\u2019m just playing great tennis and I\u2019m really happy about this week. This trophy means a lot to me.”<\/p>\n From the outset, Alcaraz dictated terms, striking early and defending with breathtaking athleticism. Even after Fils raised his level and began trading blows from the baseline, the Spaniard repeatedly produced spectacular retrievals and clutch shotmaking to extend his winning streak to 12 matches.<\/p>\n The triumph marked Alcaraz\u2019s ninth ATP 500 trophy, drawing him level with former World No. 1 Andy Murray<\/a> for the fourth-highest tally in the category since its inception in 2009.<\/p>\n ATP 500 Title Leaders (since series was introduced in 2009)\n<\/p>\n With his run to a first tour-level final since winning the title in Tokyo in 2024, Fils jumped seven spots to No. 33 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings while he continues his comeback. The former World No. 14 will next compete at the ATP 500 in Dubai, where he faces a rematch with Jiri Lehecka<\/a>, whom the Frenchman beat in the Doha quarter-finals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been eight long months with my injury,\u201d said Fils, who was into his first tour-level final since Tokyo in 2024. \u201cSo 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\u2026 Today was not the day but I think we did a hell of a job.\u201d<\/p>\n The Doha showdown marked their first encounter since Alcaraz claimed back-to-back clay victories over the Frenchman in 2025, and their maiden clash on hard courts unfolded in much the same fashion.<\/p>\n Alcaraz now leads Fils 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and has extended his outdoor hard-court winning streak to 30 matches \u2014 a run that includes major triumphs at the Australian Open<\/a> and US Open<\/a>. By clinching the title in Doha \u2014 his 26th tour-level title \u2014 Alcaraz now boasts a 292-65 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win\/Loss Index.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n