Mensik Shocks Sinner in Qatar Open Quarter-Finals
Jakub Mensik, who has previously secured titles in Miami and Auckland, halted Jannik Sinner's progress at the Qatar Open by defeating the world number two in the quarter-finals. The Czech sixth seed narrowly won the first set, lost the second, but ultimately triumphed in the deciding set with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3.
This victory ended Sinner's impressive streak of 22 wins out of 23 matches, with his only loss prior to this being against Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals last month.
The 24-year-old Italian had reached 10 finals in 2025, claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. However, in their first meeting in Doha, he was upset by Mensik, ranked world number 16.
Mensik will now face unseeded French player Arthur Fils, who defeated Mensik's fellow Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3. The winner will advance to a fourth ATP final and Mensik will be aiming for his second final of 2026, having won the Auckland Open last month for his second career title.
Alcaraz and Rublev Set for Semi-Final Clash
World number one Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Andrey Rublev secured their places in the other semi-final after winning their quarter-final matches.
Top seed Alcaraz overcame Karen Khachanov in three sets, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-3, extending his winning streak for the year to 10 matches. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who won the Australian Open to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, will next face Rublev.
Fifth seed Rublev defeated Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to book his semi-final spot.
British Doubles Teams Aim to Retain Qatar Title
British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have the opportunity to defend their Qatar Open doubles crown, one of seven titles they won in 2025. They defeated compatriots Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski to claim last year's title in Doha. This year, three British players will compete in the doubles final.
Top seeds Cash and Glasspool reached the final by beating the French team of Quentin Halys and Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals.
They will face the third seeds, compatriot Henry Patten and Finland's Harri Heliovaara, who secured a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Italy's Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
Sinner and Alcaraz Reach Qatar Quarter-Finals
Gauff and Pegula Advance in Dubai
At the Dubai Tennis Championships, despite several withdrawals, four of the top seven seeds have reached the semi-finals.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina recovered from a set down to defeat Croatia's Antonia Ruzic, who had advanced to the last eight as a lucky loser after upsetting Britain's Emma Raducanu. Svitolina won 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday and will face American Coco Gauff for a place in the UAE final.
Third seed Gauff required just 69 minutes to dispatch unseeded Filipino Alexandra Eala, winning 6-0, 6-2.
Jessica Pegula overcame Denmark's Clara Tauson in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. The fourth seed will now face fellow American Amanda Anisimova, who rallied to defeat second seed and defending champion Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).
'People shouldn't be dying just for existing'
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