(Video) Carlos Alcaraz’s Opponent Sends Him and Jannik Sinner Warning After Qatar Open Exit

Carlos Alcaraz is bidding to win his career's ninth ATP 500 title at the Qatar Open.

(Video) Carlos Alcaraz’s Opponent Sends Him and Jannik Sinner Warning After Qatar Open Exit

Valentin Royer (circle) joked about challenging Jannik Sinner (L) and Carlos Alcaraz (R) (Image via X/Univers Tenis, Jannik Sinner HQ, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

In Short
  • Carlos Alcaraz aims to improve his head-to-head record against Karen Khachanov to 6-0 in the Qatar Open quarterfinals.
  • Valentin Royer joked about beating Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the future after their match, to which Alcaraz responded playfully.
  • Royer climbed to No. 53 in the live rankings after his second-round performance, marking his first win after five consecutive defeats this season.

Carlos Alcaraz, playing in the Qatar Open for the second time in his career, has made the quarterfinals once again. Last year, Jiri Lehecka knocked him out in the same stage.

This time, he will be aiming to improve his head-to-head record over Karen Khachanov to 6-0. Seventh seed Khachanov, who eliminated Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the previous round, became the Doha champion in 2024.

Before scheduling the meeting against the Russian ace, Alcaraz, who is now on a nine-match winning streak, eliminated two Frenchmen. First, he knocked out Arthur Rinderknech, then went past Valentin Royer, whom he faced for the first time on the tour.

During the customary handshake, Royer joked that someday, he would be beating both Alcaraz and his arch-rival Jannik Sinner. “I’ll come to you and Jannik, don’t worry… someday,” said Royer, to which Alcaraz cheekily responded, “I’ll wait for you, man!“

Watch the video here:

Royer has so far played just one tour-level final: he lost the 2025 Hangzhou Open to Alexander Bublik. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has so far played 33 finals and is chasing the 26th title of his career and his second one of the season after his Australian Open triumph (beat Novak Djokovic in the final).

Alcaraz has so far lifted eight ATP 500 titles, the last of which he won in last year’s Japan Open. The 22-year-old, in fact, won three titles from four finals in this category last year, losing only the Barcelona Open.

Carlos Alcaraz felt relieved after defeating Valentin Royer in straight sets

The match against Valentin Royer was not an easy affair as Carlos Alcaraz was on the verge of losing the second set. He trailed 2-5 before reeling off five consecutive games and finishing the match in his favor.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

Obviously, I was prepared for everything; there were moments in my head when I thought about a third set, I won’t lie to you, but it was a very distant thought from my mind, the rest was working to find solutions and the right path again.

Carlos Alcaraz said during the on-court interview

Royer has climbed up seven spots on the live rankings, occupying the No.53 spot after his second-round run in the Qatari capital.

I am happy to have found the rhythm and good tennis again. It’s about fighting…tennis is a sport of details, everything can change with one point, and it was tough for me to close the second set and the match; I just had to keep going, and I’m very happy to have won in two sets.

Carlos Alcaraz added

Before his defeat to the seven-time Grand Slam champion, Royer downed Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round, registering his first win after five consecutive defeats this season.

Quentin Halys compares Arthur Fils’ game to Carlos Alcaraz

Qualifier Quentin Halys defeated Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round to schedule his second-round clash with compatriot Arthur Fils. Halys lost that match in straight sets, but prior to their clash, the 29-year-old compared Fils’ game to Alcaraz’s during his interview with L’Equipe.

Arthur Fils (2)
Arthur Fils (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

If I had to compare his playing style, I’d say he has a bit of Alcaraz’s game. He uses his forehand a lot, and on his backhand, he controls well, while also being extremely mobile. In fact, I think modern tennis is all about players who move well, like Arthur.

Fils is set to clash with Lehecka in the quarterfinals. Before defeating Halys, he downed Kamil Majchrzak. The 21-year-old is chasing his career’s fourth singles title and his first since winning his second ATP 500 trophy at the 2024 Japan Open.

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