World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz made a winning debut in Doha. The Spaniard played his first match at the ATP 500 event against Marin Cilic in a battle of the former US Open champions. The young gun ousted the veteran 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 39 minutes for a place in the second round.
The Spaniard came to Doha after lifting his first indoor ATP title. The four-time Major winner did not play at his best, but it was enough to seal the deal in straight sets. The top seed took 12 points more and made the difference behind the second serve.
Alcaraz denied five of six break points and converted three of ten opportunities on the return to emegre at the top.
Picking up where he left off! 👏
Newly crowned Rotterdam champion @carlosalcaraz defeats Cilic 6-4 6-4 on his Doha debut#QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/ojnBTm9KBP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 17, 2025
The young gun hit more service winners and finished the duel with 17 direct points and 20 mistakes. Marin landed 21 winners but sprayed 35 errors, missing equally from both wings. The Croat fought well in his first match of the season but could not cause an upset.
Marin Cilic & Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025 © Stream screenshot
The Croat missed a forehand in the first game of the duel and dropped serve. Marin attacked on the return in the second game and welcomed the rival’s mistake to pull the break back. The veteran saved two break points in the third game and closed the fifth after a deuce for 3-2.
Carlos denied a break point in the sixth game with a service winner and held for 3-3. The top seed made the ultimate push on the return in game seven. Alcaraz generated five break points and seized the last with a forehand attack and a forced error.
Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard cemented the lead with a hold at 15 in game eight and served for the opener at 5-4. Carlos landed a powerful serve on a set point, wrapping up the first part of the duel 6-4 in 55 minutes. They served well in the first seven games of the second set.
The returners stood no chance, and Cilic landed a crafty winner at the net in the seventh game for 4-3. The Croat made the ultimate push on the return in game eight and created three break chances with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Alcaraz kept his composure and denied them with service winners. The young gun held with a fine forehand attack and gained confidence. Marin faced the first issues on serve in the ninth game. He lost an extended rally and faced break points.
Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
Cilic netted a routine forehand on the second, falling 5-4 behind and allowing Alcaraz to serve for the win. The Croat made one last push and created a break chance with a forced error. Carlos erased it with a service winner and earned a match point with a backhand winner.
The top seed fired a service winner to seal the deal and make a winning start.
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