DOHA – Carlos Alcaraz raced to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Arthur Fils to win the final of the Qatar Open in just 50 minutes.
The 22-year-old Spanish star extended his winning streak to 12 matches in 2026, 20 days after he became the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open – that´s winning all four of the tennis majors.
“It´s been a really strong start to the year,” Alcaraz said according to AP.
Winning the title in Doha brought his tally to 26 tour-level titles.
Following Australian Open success earlier this month – completing his career Grand Slam at just 22 years of age – Alcaraz backed it up by storming to the title in Doha in his first tournament back since Melbourne and extending 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 this trophy means a lot to me,” Alcaraz added according to AFP.
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 number 14 up to 33 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… I think we did a hell of a job.”
Elsewhere, Jessica Pegula gave herself an early birthday present by clinching her fourth WTA 1000 crown with a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 victory over Elina Svitolina in the Dubai final.
The fourth-seeded American denied Svitolina a chance to win a third title in the northern emirate, and improved her record against the Ukrainian to 6-3 head-to-head.
Pegula, who turns 32 on Tuesday, has made at least the semi-finals in each of her last seven tournaments and walks away from Dubai with a 10th career title.
Pegula fought back from a set and a break down in the semi-finals against Amanda Anisimova, while Svitolina battled through a three-hour marathon against Coco Gauff.
It was Svitolina who appeared to be suffering the most from the aftermath of the previous night, though, and it gave Pegula the chance to jump to a double-break lead early in the final, and she never looked back as she wrapped up the victory in 72 minutes.
“I couldn’t ask for a better birthday present. I’m just super proud of myself. I had to play at a very high level, it was awesome,” Pegula said in her on-court interview.
“I feel like when you can get off to a quick start, that eases the nerves a little bit.
“Mentally, I think, especially the match yesterday, I was down a set and 3-1, and I fought back, which made me feel free today. I trusted the things we’ve been working on and it paid off.”
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 31-year-old returned to the top 10 earlier this month 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.
Svitolina admits she didn’t expect to start off the year so strong. “I actually went to Auckland to get some matches, just to try to find my rhythm. Just everything came together. I worked hard,” said the former world No 3.
“Also, I think that break in September helped me, that month or two helped me to pick up myself mentally. I feel like I’m in a good place. I try to look a little bit into my game and my mentality from a different side.
“I’m ready to face difficult situations. That’s the most important thing, I feel.”
The Dubai tournament was struck with an unusually high number of withdrawals and retirements, with over 20 players, including the world’s top two Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, pulling out of the event or quitting before or during matches.
