Alcaraz battles into second round of Qatar Open
The Hindu
Carlos Alcaraz advances to the Qatar Open second round, defeating Arthur Rinderknech and set to face Valentin Royer.
Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to action following his Australian Open success as he beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the first round in Doha on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).
Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with his victory in Melbourne, saw off the 30th-ranked Rinderknech in two closely contested sets.
"It was really difficult. Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round," said Alcaraz.
"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."
The world number one will face another Frenchman in round two, 60th-ranked Valentin Royer.
Alcaraz took the first set after breaking in the fifth game but faced dogged resistance from Rinderknech, who brought up his first break points of the match with the top seed serving to force a tie-break in the second set.
Karnataka dominates Uttarakhand in Ranji Trophy semifinals, securing a massive lead with standout performances despite skipper's injury.
Chennaiyin FC aims for victory against Mumbai City in ISL opener, featuring coach Clifford Miranda's fresh leadership.
Coach Ajay Sharma leads Jammu & Kashmir to their first Ranji Trophy final, emphasizing teamwork and self-belief in his players.
UEFA will investigate Vinicius Junior's allegations of racial abuse during a Champions League match against Benfica.
Karnataka's Smaran highlights the importance of collective batting effort for championship success in the Ranji Trophy.
Misbun Sidek joins Hatsun Badminton Academy, recognizing the potential of its young players and enhancing Indian badminton coaching.
West Indies faces Italy in a thrilling T20 World Cup match at Eden Gardens, showcasing cricket's rich narratives and emerging talents.
Nepal captain Rohit Paudel emphasizes the need for regular matches against Test nations after a historic T20 World Cup victory.
Champions League: Vinicius Junior says he was racially insulted in Real Madrid win, Doue rescues PSG
Vinicius Junior alleges racial insults after scoring in Real Madrid's win, while PSG stages a comeback against Monaco.
Pakistan wins the toss and chooses to bat against Namibia in the T20 World Cup group match.
The India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash in Colombo generated noise across social media, but inside the stands the energy told a different story — shaped by politics, fading star power and India’s run of routine wins
Carlos Alcaraz advances to the Qatar Open second round, defeating Arthur Rinderknech and set to face Valentin Royer.
As Arsenal and Manchester City battle for the Premier League title, both teams face crucial tests in the season's final stretch.