Carlos Alcaraz holds off qualifier's challenge for win at Doha

Field Level Media|published: Wed 19th February, 19:52 2025

Jan 22, 2025; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain gestures during his match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the quarterfinals of the men's singles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz withstood a charge from qualifier Luca Nardi for a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory in the second round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Wednesday.

Spain's Alcaraz, ranked No. 3 in the world, converted 5 of 11 break-point opportunities, to 2 of 5 for Italy's Nardi, who had five double faults. Alcaraz won the opening set and was up 4-1 in the second when Nardi, No. 85 in the world, roared back to force a third set.

Alcaraz, winner of 12 straight matches at ATP 500 events, next faces Czech Jiri Lehecka, who ousted Hungary's Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-2. Second-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia, fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia and eighth-seeded Jack Draper of Great Britain all won matches in straight sets.

Italy's Matteo Berrettini eliminated the Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 6-4, and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime won in walkover of Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic, who withdrew due to a right leg injury.

--Field Level Media