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Alcaraz Dominates Fils in 50-Minute Doha Final
World No. 1 claims 12th straight win to start 2026 season
Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:09am
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Carlos Alcaraz needed just 50 minutes to overcome Arthur Fils in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final on Saturday in Doha, dropping only three games. The Spaniard, who is now 12-0 on the season, reflected on where the performance ranks among the finest of his career, stating he would put it in his "Top 10 or Top 15 matches" in terms of level.
Why it matters
Alcaraz's dominant start to the 2026 season, which includes winning the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam, has cemented his status as the clear world No. 1. His ability to quickly dispatch opponents like Fils, who has proven to be a tough competitor, underscores Alcaraz's current form and the gap between him and the rest of the ATP Tour.
The details
Alcaraz was nearly flawless in the final, serving well, returning well, and playing aggressively without making any mistakes. He credited Fils' mistakes for contributing to the lopsided result, while also emphasizing that he was solely focused on his own game. The win extends Alcaraz's unbeaten streak to start the season and further solidifies his status atop the PIF ATP Rankings.
- Alcaraz won the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
The players
Carlos Alcaraz
The 22-year-old Spanish tennis player is the current world No. 1 and recently completed the career Grand Slam by winning the 2026 Australian Open.
Arthur Fils
A young French tennis player who has proven to be a tough competitor on the ATP Tour, but was overwhelmed by Alcaraz in the Doha final.
What they’re saying
“I played great. I played amazing. Every match is different, every match has their styles. I know he's not too far from his real Arthur level. I know in this tournament he has done it, also in the battles we played before. He did a lot of his mistakes today. For me, I just tried to be focused on myself. I think I played really aggressively, and I didn't do any mistakes at all. I was serving well, returning well.”
— Carlos Alcaraz
“I am just proud. I'm going to put it Top 10 matches or Top 15 matches, just in terms of level.”
— Carlos Alcaraz
What’s next
Alcaraz is next scheduled to compete at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, where he is a two-time champion. The hard-court event starts on March 4, 2026.
The takeaway
Carlos Alcaraz's dominant start to the 2026 season, including his 50-minute demolition of Arthur Fils in the Doha final, has further cemented his status as the clear world No. 1 and one of the most dominant players on the ATP Tour. His ability to quickly dispatch tough opponents like Fils while playing nearly flawless tennis underscores his current form and the growing gap between him and the rest of the field.
