Alcaraz wins first match since Melbourne triumph

CARLOS Alcaraz says he was glad to get through some “difficult moments” against Arthur Rinderknech as he won his first match since triumphing at last month’s Australian Open.

Top seed Alcaraz had to save two set points in the second set but won 6-4 7-6 (7-5) against the unseeded Frenchman in the first round of the Qatar Open in Doha.

It was seven-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz’s first match since beating Novak Djokovic in Melbourne to become the youngest male player to achieve the career Grand Slam.

“It was really difficult,” said the Spaniard.

“Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round, I’m happy with the level. I’m happy that I got through difficult moments in the match.”

Alcaraz, 22, started well and broke to go 3-2 up, before comfortably seeing out the rest of the set to take it 6-4 with a deft volley at the net.

World number 30 Rinderknech improved from there, earning two set points at 6-5, but Alcaraz, helped by his 28 winners in the match, saved them before coming out on top in the tie-break.

He sealed victory with a forehand down the line and sets up a second-round tie against France’s Valentin Royer, who beat countryman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-0 6-3.

Victory was Alcaraz’s 150th at tour level on hard courts and extended his flawless start to the 2026 season to 8-0.

• BBC

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