Carlos Alcaraz secured a solid victory over Marin Cilic in the opening round of the Qatar Open, winning 6-4, 6-4 on a windy Monday night. The Spanish star showcased his composure in crucial moments, particularly in a marathon seventh game of the first set that lasted 18 minutes, ultimately breaking Cilic’s serve.
In the second set, Alcaraz faced a tough moment when he fell 0-40 behind on serve in the eighth game. However, the world-class competitor responded impressively, winning 15 of the next 19 points to seal the match in one hour and 38 minutes.
“I’m really pleased about saving that game,” Alcaraz said post-match. “Marin puts a lot of pressure when you’re serving, he’s a great returner. I’m really happy to stay calm in that moment, do my routine and make good shots. I’m really happy to win in two sets.”
NBA’s Jimmy Butler Joins the Action
After his victory, Alcaraz delighted fans by playing a few points with NBA star Jimmy Butler, who was in attendance. Butler, recently traded to the Golden State Warriors, chose to visit Doha instead of staying in the Bay Area for the NBA All-Star Game.
The two athletes, both wearing microphones, entertained the crowd with an impromptu hitting session. Butler even attempted a flashy between-the-legs return against an Alcaraz lob but was unsuccessful.
Cilic Returns After Surgery, Lehecka Stuns Dimitrov
Cilic, a former US Open champion, was playing in his first tournament since undergoing knee surgery in November. Despite showing resilience, he couldn’t match Alcaraz’s energy and precision.
Elsewhere, Czech player Jiri Lehecka upset seventh-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Lehecka’s win marked his 11th triumph of the season, tying him for the ATP Tour lead with Alex de Minaur and Miomir Kecmanovic.
Alcaraz will face either Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi in the second round as he continues his campaign in Doha.
