February 21, New Delhi – World number one, Carlos Alcaraz, needed six match points to defeat defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6, 6-4 and reach the final of the Qatar Open.
The Spaniard twice failed to serve out the opening set and quickly lost a 3-0 lead in the second. He then missed three match points when Rublev staged another comeback.
However, Alcaraz remained calm and, after failing with two other match points, secured the match to reach the Qatar Open final for the first time.
Alcaraz has now extended his perfect winning record to 11 matches this season.
Alcaraz will face Arthur Fils in the final on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Frenchman defeated sixth seed Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-6 in the other semi-final.