‘Bottled!’ Alcaraz Booted Out of Qatar Open Quarter-Finals

OwelekeTV (Sports) — Top seed Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock exit from the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Thursday, falling to an inspired Jiri Lehecka. The Spaniard, who was on a seven-match winning streak following his Rotterdam triumph, looked poised to take control but ultimately lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to the world number 25.

Lehecka, who began his season with a title in Brisbane, delivered a composed performance, fighting back after trailing by a break in the final set to win the last four games and claim victory.

“I feel great,”

Lehecka said after his impressive win.

“To win a match like that against a player like this is a super big achievement. I believed in myself and knew I had the level to produce this kind of tennis. I think the most important part was I believed in my game and did not back down.”

The 23-year-old Czech has now reached the Doha semi-finals for the second consecutive year and will face either British eighth seed Jack Draper or Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the next round. Berrettini, a former Wimbledon runner-up, made headlines earlier in the tournament by eliminating world number one Novak Djokovic in the second round.

Rublev Battles Past De Minaur in Thriller

Meanwhile, second seed Alex de Minaur also bowed out, losing a marathon quarter-final to former Qatar Open champion Andrey Rublev. The fifth-seeded Russian, who won the tournament in 2020, had to dig deep before securing a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (10/8) victory.

Rublev appeared to be in control with a 5-2 lead in the final set, but De Minaur fought back, forcing a dramatic tiebreak where both players had their chances. The Russian eventually converted his eighth match point to claim his first win over a top-10 player since August 2023.

“When I had my first match point, I played really well,”

said Rublev, reflecting on the tense encounter.

“I did everything amazing and he just played an unreal rally. He made the backhand down the line and I played a good volley. Then he makes a forehand pass down the line. In most of the matches, normally after these points, they win – it’s a turning (point).

“I then started to get a bit more tight and more emotional, I was a bit unlucky. Then when I lost my serve, I said, ‘Okay, whatever, if I’m gonna lose, at least just try to do your best until the end.’”

Rublev’s victory secured his fourth semi-final appearance in Doha, where he will face Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian advanced after Daniil Medvedev retired from their match while trailing 6-3 in the first set.

With Alcaraz and De Minaur out of the tournament, the path to the title remains open for the remaining contenders, as Lehecka, Rublev, Auger-Aliassime, and either Draper or Berrettini prepare to battle for a place in the final.