Carlos Alcaraz 'hungry for more' after continuing 'strong start to year' with 50-minute win over Arthur Fils to lift Qatar Open title

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Carlos Alcaraz needed less than 50 minutes to overwhelm the unseeded Arthur Fils and extend his flawless start to 2026, storming to the Qatar Open title in emphatic fashion. The world No. 1 was relentless, converting five of seven break points in a dominant 6-2 6-1 victory. It marked his 12th win of the season and a 26th career crown, following last month’s triumph at the Australian Open.

'A dream come true' - Alcaraz reacts to historic Australian Open win

Video credit: SNTV

Carlos Alcaraz said that he is "hungry for more" after dismantling Arthur Fils inside 50 minutes to claim the Qatar Open title and preserve his flawless start to 2026.

The world No. 1 was imperious from the outset, breaking at the first opportunity and never loosening his grip on the final.

Relentless from the baseline and clinical on return, Alcaraz swept to a 6–2 6–1 victory to make it two titles from two tournaments this season.

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Reflecting on last year's quarter-final exit in Doha, the seven-time Grand Slam-winner admitted he arrived with unfinished business.

"I remember the feeling that I had last year, leaving in the quarter-finals, so I came into this year hungry for more - hungry to go farther in this tournament," said the top seed.

The Spaniard said that each event begins with a clear set of objectives drawn up with his team before a ball is struck.

"After every tournament, we set up new goals, new things," he said.

"At the beginning of the week, I put on the table the things that I really want to do. I’m really happy and proud about everything I’ve done with my team, on and off the court. So I feel like the job is finished right now.

"It’s been a really strong start to the year. It wasn’t easy… I had to be strong mentally with my team. I’m just playing great tennis, and I’m really happy about this week. This trophy means a lot to me."

Asked what grade he would award himself for the week, Alcaraz resisted the temptation to indulge in self-assessment but suggested steady progress remains his benchmark.

Alcaraz fired 18 winners during the course of the encounter

Image credit: Getty Images

"I think the week went pretty good," he said. "I just try to improve every day."

The 22-year-old underlined his authority once again on Saturday - stretching his winning streak to 12 matches with another commanding display. Indeed, 10 minutes shy of an hour, this was the shortest victory of Alcaraz's career in completed matches.

Fils can nevertheless depart Doha with renewed belief. The former world No. 14 will continue his resurgence at the ATP 500 event in Dubai, where he is set for a rematch with Jiri Lehecka, whom he defeated in the quarter-finals earlier this week.

For Fils, simply contesting a first tour-level final since the Japan Open in 2024 marked a significant milestone after an injury-hit stretch that sidelined him for much of the past eight months.

"It’s been eight long months with my injury," he reflected. "In a time like this, you have to think about those months when I was struggling, not playing tennis. I just want to thank my team… Today was not the day, but I think we did a hell of a job."

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