Carlos Alcaraz hoped to go further in Doha last week, trying to get even closer to the second position in the ATP rankings. However – after the title won in Rotterdam – the young Spanish ace was defeated by Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals in Qatar.
The former world number 1 had started the match very well, before dropping in the second part of the first set allowing his opponent to take an advantage. The 4-time Grand Slam champion fought back in the second set, tied the contest and went ahead by a break in the third set.
The 21-year-old from Murcia also had a chance to extend his lead to 5-2, but from that moment the light went out and the Czech ace went on a four-game streak to claim the most important victory of his career so far.
It is true that Lehecka played at a very high level in the latter part of the match, but Carlitos suffered the usual ups and downs that continue to characterize his career.
The current world number 3 is truly immensely talented and has already won a lot for his age, but he needs to take a further step in terms of consistency if he wants to dethrone Jannik Sinner in the future.
Carlitos practices
The Spaniard resumed practicing today and – through a video published on X – it is possible to see how Carlos is using a new type of strings that will ‘assist’ him during the next tournaments.
🎾 Primer entrenamiento de Carlos Alcaraz tras caer en Doha.
🏆 El segundo fin de semana de marzo comienza la defensa del título en Indian Wells, donde ha ganado en 2023 y 2024.
🆕 Nuevo cordaje para la gira estadounidense. pic.twitter.com/Npwg8l3Brw
— Germán R. Abril (@gerebit0) February 25, 2025
Alcaraz will fly to Puerto Rico on Thursday, where an exhibition match against American ace Frances Tiafoe is scheduled for March 2.
After that, he will focus on the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in which he has triumphed in the last two editions playing exceptional tennis.
The first two Masters 1000 of the season – Indian Wells and Miami – will be pivotal to Carlitos’ ambitions.
He will have to accumulate as many points as possible in these two tournaments to overtake Sascha Zverev and get closer to his great rival Sinner before his return to action.
Tennis World USA