Alcaraz Fights Back to Book Last Four Berth in Qatar, Sinner Stunned
Doha: Carlos Alcaraz came from behind to beat Karen Khachanov on Thursday to book his place in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open, but that was the end of the road for Jannik Sinner, who lost to Jakub Mensik in three sets.
Playing his first tournament after completing his career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in early February, Alcaraz will next face Andrey Rublev in the final in Doha.
“It was a really close and tight match,” Alcaraz said after the 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final win.
“I thought Karen played great but I knew I had my chances. I couldn’t capitalize on them in the first set so it was time to move on and try to fight back.
“I’m really proud of the way I (fight).”
The first set headed towards a tiebreak as neither Alcaraz nor Khachanov could make a breakthrough on the other’s serve.
Khachanov then took a 6-1 lead at half-time and eventually converted the set point for the third time.
But seven-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz was forced to fight his way back into the draw, making Khachanov 15-all in the fifth game of the second frame.
Alcaraz repeated the trick in the third set, jumping on the Russian’s serve at 2-2 and putting his nose forward.
The world number one sealed his place in the last four in style by taking seventh place in the ninth game.
After Russia won the quarter-final match with former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas in sets of 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), he will face fifth seed Rublev there.
Italy’s comeback from their Australian Open semi-final defeat ended early as world number two Sinner fell 7-6 (7/3), 2-6 and 6-3 to sixth seed Mensik.
“I knew Jannik’s quality before the match. He’s a great guy, a great champion. What he’s done in his young career is already pretty impressive,” said 20-year-old Mensik.
“But even with that in mind, I came into the game wanting to win and actually had the mentality to win.”
Mensik will face Arthur Fils in the semi-finals following the Frenchman’s straight sets victory over Jiri Lehecka.
