Jakub Menšík stuns Jannik Sinner at Qatar Open as Carlos Alcaraz survives Karen Khachanov

Alcaraz displayed an improved ability to defuse a peaking opponent, while Sinner was unable to fend off a Menšík barrage.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Just as at the Australian Open, there will be no Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner final at the Qatar Open in Doha. The world No. 1 and No. 2 went down a set after losing a tiebreak to a peaking opponent Thursday, but where Alcaraz thrived to survive, Sinner found himself in an irretrievable situation. After Alcaraz fended off Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3, Sinner fell to Jakub Menšík of the Czech Republic 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3, one round earlier than his Australian Open exit in January to an inspired Novak Djokovic.

Why it matters

The results help reveal how the two runaway stars of men's tennis are evolving. For Alcaraz, who forced Khachanov to a tiebreak even as the Russian played one of the best sets of his life, his win was a vindication of the security he has brought to his game by improving his serve. For Sinner, who appeared to have turned the tide against Menšík before losing his serve in the opening game of the third set, his forehand remains one of the most devastating shots in the sport but its apparent issues were examined again.

The details

In Sinner's opening match of the Qatar Open, a straight-sets cruise against Menšík's compatriot Tomáš Macháč, Sinner played a point built on marvelous backhands. It was a well-constructed point. It was also a surprise. Sinner rejected several opportunities to take over the point with his forehand from the center of the court, instead hitting inside-out backhands from the middle, a shot that he does not tend to prefer. As when Djokovic pummelled the ball into Sinner's forehand in their Australian Open semifinal, his timing on that wing was this week susceptible to erring. In 2026, Sinner's forehand is missing more frequently than in any of the past four seasons, according to data collected by Tennis Data Innovations (though necessarily from a small sample size). Down the stretch against Menšík, he missed from presentable positions too often, and Sinner's cross-court forehand was a losing play in the match, when it is normally a winning one.

  • On February 16, 2026, Sinner played a straight-sets cruise against Menšík's compatriot Tomáš Macháč in the opening match of the Qatar Open.
  • On February 19, 2026, Alcaraz fended off Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3 in the Qatar Open.
  • On February 19, 2026, Sinner fell to Jakub Menšík of the Czech Republic 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 in the Qatar Open.

The players

Carlos Alcaraz

The world No. 1 tennis player.

Jannik Sinner

The world No. 2 tennis player.

Jakub Menšík

A 20-year-old Czech tennis player who upset Jannik Sinner at the Qatar Open.

Karen Khachanov

A Russian tennis player who played a strong match against Carlos Alcaraz at the Qatar Open.

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What they’re saying

“We need to see where we can improve, but we are calm, there's no disaster.”

— Jannik Sinner (Instagram)

“Now we will play Indian Wells and Miami. I'm sure the work will pay off.”

— Jannik Sinner (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.