Sinner Extends ATP 500 Win Streak with Doha Victory Over Popyrin

The Italian star's composed performance against the aggressive Australian highlights his dominance on hard courts.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Jannik Sinner continued his impressive form with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Alexei Popyrin at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. The win extends Sinner's streak of consecutive wins against players outside the Top 50 to 50 matches and marks his 12th straight ATP 500 tournament victory.

Why it matters

Sinner's ability to maintain a high level of play, even when facing aggressive opponents like Popyrin, has established him as a formidable force on hard courts. His dominance raises questions about whether he is trending toward historically great status on this surface, especially with the rise of players like Carlos Alcaraz.

The details

Sinner faced a challenge from Popyrin, who displayed confidence and aggression throughout the match, firing 16 winners and engaging the crowd. However, Sinner maintained his composure and secured the victory in 85 minutes. Sinner noted his strong start in the first set, stating, "I feel like I started off very well in the first set, not so many problems with my service games." He acknowledged a slight dip in form later in the match, adding, "But after I struggled a bit. I felt like he raised his level and I lost a bit of rhythm and confidence."

  • Sinner's win streak against players outside the Top 50 began after his loss to Dusan Lajovic in Cincinnati in 2023.
  • Sinner defeated Popyrin in the second round of the 2025 US Open.

The players

Jannik Sinner

An Italian professional tennis player who is currently ranked among the top players in the world and is known for his dominance on hard courts.

Alexei Popyrin

An Australian professional tennis player who faced Sinner in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open and the 2025 US Open.

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What they’re saying

“I respect every player, but I always try to play my best tennis. The ranking, at the end of the day, is just a number. Everyone is playing [with] high quality. Especially when the opponents don't have much to lose, you always have to stay very focused.”

— Jannik Sinner (newsdirectory3.com)

“I feel like I started off very well in the first set, not so many problems with my service games. But after I struggled a bit. I felt like he raised his level and I lost a bit of rhythm and confidence.”

— Jannik Sinner (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

Sinner will face Mensik in the quarter-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, with Fils and Lehecka also set to compete in the last eight.

The takeaway

Sinner's dominant performance against Popyrin, extending his impressive streak of wins against players outside the Top 50, solidifies his status as a formidable force on hard courts and raises questions about whether he is trending toward historically great status in this surface.