AAP Tennis

Sinner suffers shock defeat, Alcaraz through to semis

By AAP Newswire

Feb 20, 2026

Jannik Sinner has suffered a shock loss to Jakub Mensik at the Qatar Open, but there was no such problems for Carlos Alcaraz who maintained his winning streak to reach the semi-finals.

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Another final between the big two rivals looked on the cards in Doha, only for 20-year-old Czech Mensik to outgun Sinner in a 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-3 victory.

The world No.2 two made some uncharacteristic errors and Mensik smashed 28 winners to hand Sinner just his second loss before the semi-finals at any tournament since June.

Australian Open champion Alcaraz also looked in trouble against Russian Karen Khachanov in what was a crowd-pleasing encounter full of dynamic rallies.

Alcaraz remonstrated with the umpire after being given a time violation in an opening set he went on to lose on a tie-break.

But the world No.1 competitive desire was on full display as he fought back to claim a 6-7 (7-3) 6-4 6-3 victory and set up a last-four clash against defending champion Andrey Rublev.

"It was a really close and tight match," said Alcaraz. "Karen was playing great but I knew that I had my chances, it was just that I didn't take them in the first set. I'm just really, really proud about the way that I fought."

Mensik, meanwhile, will face young Frenchman Arthur Fils, who is showing encouraging form early in his return from injury.