Carlos Alcaraz defeated Karen Khachanov, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3, in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.
The world number one will now take on another Russian, Andrey Rublev, in the semifinals.
But before we think about the semis, it’s worth taking a look back at Alcaraz’s thrilling quarterfinal win.
Who will retire with more Grand Slam titles – Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic?
Let us know why in the comments!
Alcaraz and Khachanov brought their A-games to Doha, exchanging blows in the match of the tournament so far.
The match had it all, and taught us a lot about the seven-time Grand Slam champion…
Carlos Alcaraz showed why he’s almost impossible to beat in Karen Khachanov win
Khachanov played some of the best tennis of his life in the first set vs Alcaraz.
The Russian was hitting winners from all angles, pushing the world number one to his limit.
While others would have faltered in the tiebreaker, Khachanov powered on, taking a commanding lead, before holding off an Alcaraz fightback to clinch the set.
He just needed to win one more set to beat Alcaraz for the first time.
Carlos Alcaraz and Karen Khachanov’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Qatar Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Karen Khachanov | 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2025 Italian Open – 4R | Carlos Alcaraz | Karen Khachanov | 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 |
| 2024 China Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Karen Khachanov | 7-5, 6-2 |
| 2023 Madrid Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Karen Khachanov | 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2022 Hamburg Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Karen Khachanov | 6-0, 6-2 |
| 2022 French Open – 4R | Carlos Alcaraz | Karen Khachanov | 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 |
But winning ‘one more’ set against Alcaraz is easier said than done.
The thing with Alcaraz is that he just doesn’t go away.
His energy levels remain high throughout the match, and he continues looking for solutions no matter how hard things get.
Then, when his opponent’s level dips, which it almost always does, he’s right there to take advantage.
Alcaraz isn’t superhuman, even if at times he comes across that way.
It is possible for someone to be better than him for a set, maybe a set and a half, but to do it for long enough to secure the win? Very few manage that.
And by very few, I mean Jannik Sinner.
Players to have beaten Carlos Alcaraz since May 2025
- Jannik Sinner (x2)
- Taylor Fritz
- Cameron Norrie
Sinner can keep up with Alcaraz, and proved that on several occasions last year.
But the rest of the ATP Tour struggles, and that became clearer than ever during Alcaraz and Khachanov’s quarterfinal.
The Russian played better than Alcaraz for a set, and that was it.
If we are to see someone break the Sinner/Alcaraz duopoly, they’ll need to find a way to best the pair for more than an hour.
The 22-year-old’s ‘invincibility’ was on display against Khachanov, but that wasn’t the only thing I picked up on.
What would the score be if Carlos Alcaraz faced prime Roger Federer?
Who is winning and in how many sets?
For the first time in a while, he lost his cool.
Known as one of the happiest players on tour, you’d be hard pushed to find a picture of Alcaraz where he’s not smiling.
But there were certainly a few of those taken today!
During the first set, Alcaraz fumed with the umpire when he received a time violation.
After pleading his case to no avail, Alcaraz used some ‘colorful language’ when criticizing the ATP rules.
It wasn’t a side of Alcaraz we see very often, and in all honesty, it doesn’t really suit him.
But what we are used to seeing Alcaraz do is turning adversity into motivation, and he did just that.
He may have lost the first set, but the points that followed his disagreement with the umpire were that little bit more powerful than before.
It’s that mentality that powered Alcaraz to the Career Grand Slam at 22.
His quarterfinal win was full of action, but there’s still work to be done in Doha.
Alcaraz will now turn his attention to the semifinals and a sixth career meeting with Rublev.
Can Andrey Rublev trouble Carlos Alcaraz?
Rublev will walk on court as the underdog, but there are reasons for him to be hopeful.
Khachanov proved that you can hit through the Spaniard, at least for a while…
As one of the biggest hitters on tour, Rublev won’t be afraid to deploy that tactic in the semis.
Rublev should also be feeling confident, given how well he’s played this week.
The Russian hasn’t dropped a set in Doha, taking down Jesper De Jong, Fabian Marozsan, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He’s now won his last eight matches at the Qatar Open, having won the title in 2025.
With form like that, you’d back him to beat pretty much anyone.
Except Alcaraz…
Alcaraz has beaten Rublev four of the five times they’ve played, and hasn’t tasted defeat against the Russian in 659 days.
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious when they meet for a place in the 2026 Qatar Open final.
Alcaraz will play Rublev in the semifinals on Friday, February 20.
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