Prime-seeded Carlos Alcaraz overcame Croatian veteran Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4 Monday to succeed in the spherical of 16 on the Qatar Open.
The 36-year-old Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion who has fallen to No. 192 within the rankings, was taking part in his first match of the season after recovering from a long-term knee damage. The Croatian led 4-3 and 0-40 on Alcaraz’s serve within the second set, however the Spanish four-time main winner managed to recuperate after which broke within the subsequent sport.
“I’m simply actually completely happy that I stayed calm at that second, respiratory, going via my routines, making good factors,” Alcaraz stated. “That’s why I used to be capable of win in two units.”
Alcaraz will play both Zhang Zhizhen of China or Italy’s Luca Nardi subsequent.
Earlier, seventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov misplaced 6-4, 6-4 to Jiri Lehecka.
Additionally on Monday, eighth-seeded Jack Draper beat Alexei Popyrin 6-2, 7-6 (4) to arrange a gathering with one other Australian, Christopher O’Connell.
A number of different prime gamers will play their first matches on Tuesday.
Second-seeded Alex de Minaur will face Roman Safiullin. Novak Djokovic, who needed to pull out of his Australian Open semifinal with a hamstring damage, will tackle Matteo Berrettini.
Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stefano Tsitsipas may even play on Tuesday.
Printed – February 18, 2025 05:07 am IST
