This One Goes to 11: Alcaraz Rides Winning Streak into Doha Final

Carlos Alcaraz, winner of the Career Grand Slam just over two weeks ago in Melbourne, continues to ride the hot hand on the ATP Tour. The 22-year-old Spaniard battled past defending champion Andrey Rublev in Doha on Friday, remaining perfect on the season with a sparkling 7-6(3), 6-4 victory.

Alcaraz, now 67-5 in his last 72 matches, will face Arthur Fils in Saturday’s title clash.

The World No.1 is into his 34th tour-level final and will bid for career title No.26.

Alcaraz credits his poise as a key catalyst for his last two victories, a hard-fought clash with Karen Khachanov and today’s battle with Rublev.

“In these matches, I have been really calm, thinking clearly and being positive. It’s in those places where you can find the solutions to a problem,” he said.

He was on a mission from the start against Rublev, slashing his way to an early break for 3-2 in the opening set and holding the Russian at bay. But credit Rublev, who brought the best of his electric baseline game and broke Alcaraz twice in the late stages of the set to get to a tiebreak.

His efforts were in vain, and Alcaraz would soon earn three set points with Rublev smashing his own racquet on his thigh as the Spaniard composed himself and took the set on the next point.

In the second set, the pair took the tennis higher, exchanging in breathtaking rallies, including a gold medal backhand winner from Rublev in the first game.

But Rublev’s best efforts were not rewarded. Instead it was Alcaraz grinding through the gears and scoring the first break of the set for 2-0.

Rublev refused to yield, and he was soon back on serve at three-all, only to fall behind again when Alcaraz broke for 5-3.

Three match points went begging in the next game as Rublev continued to pressure. He earned a pair of break points and put all his weight into an inside-out forehand to convert the second and get back on serve at 4-5, with one hour and 54 minutes on the clock.

The tension continued to mount in the final game, as Alcaraz mounted a rally from 30-0 down and Rublev punched back. When the Spaniard made an incredible get and flicked a remarkable winner down the line for a fifth match point, all Rublev could do was shake his head.

He clinched his victory on the next point, reaching the Doha final for the first time.