Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to action on Tuesday, defeating France’s Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the first round of the Qatar Open in Doha.
Fresh from his Australian Open triumph, where he became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, the world number one was pushed hard by the 30th-ranked Frenchman before sealing victory in straight sets.
“It was really difficult. Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round,” Alcaraz said.
“I’m happy with the level. I’m happy that I got through difficult moments in the match. I’m happy that I stayed calm and positive, and played great tennis.”
Alcaraz secured the opening set with a break in the fifth game but faced stern resistance in the second. Rinderknech earned his first break points while the Spaniard was serving to force a tie-break, but Alcaraz saved both before dominating the breaker. He sealed the win with a blistering forehand down the line on match point.
The top seed will next face another Frenchman, world number 60 Valentin Royer.
Alcaraz’s chief rival, Jannik Sinner, sits on the opposite side of the draw. Remarkably, no player other than Alcaraz or Sinner has claimed a tour-level title at an event featuring both men since Andrey Rublev won in Madrid in May 2024.
Rublev advanced to the second round in Doha with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dutchman Jesper De Jong.
Alcaraz, who was knocked out in the quarter-finals on his Doha debut last year, could meet former champion Karen Khachanov in the last eight if he progresses past Royer. Seventh seed Khachanov needed three sets to defeat Japanese lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki.
Elsewhere, Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui to set up a clash with 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev, while Jiri Lehecka, who eliminated Alcaraz from the tournament last year eased past American Jenson Brooksby in straight sets.
