DOHA/STARNBERG, February 19, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain overcame a tough challenge on Wednesday to stay in contention at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.
The 21-year-old top seed battled past Italian qualifier Luca Nardi, securing a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory to reach the quarterfinals at the newly upgraded ATP 500 event. After dominating the opening set, Alcaraz found himself in trouble as Nardi mounted a stunning comeback, winning six consecutive games from 1-4 down in the second set to force a decider. However, the World No. 3 remained composed, regaining control to close out the match in one hour and 53 minutes.
A comfortable match turned into a tight battle
Court-side as @carlosalcaraz finds a way to overcome Nardi in Doha… https://t.co/ZF3AEpK9kQ pic.twitter.com/kEdtcbonSY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 19, 2025
“At 4-1, 40/40 [in the second set], he played a few good points and then it seemed like he started to play like the World No. 1,” said Alcaraz. “I couldn’t do anything, I just tried to stay there, stay strong mentally. My energy levels probably went down a little bit, but credit to him. I’m really happy [that I] forgot everything and restarted in the third set.
“It was a good level mentally, I was really strong. I just tried to [let him know] that I’m there, screaming ‘Vamos’, to push me up and get the good energy again. I played really good tennis in the third set, but I’m really proud of my energy levels in that set.”
Alcaraz will next play Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, who beat Fabian Marozsan from Hungary 6-4, 6-2 in 63 minutes.
In other second-round action, Alex de Minaur defeated Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4. The No. 2 seed from Australia saved all four break points he faced and converted two of his own five break-point chances to secure victory in exactly two hours of play.
Fourth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev cruised past Zizou Bergs of Belgium 6-2, 6-1 in only 56 minutes and fifth favourite Andrey Rublev of Russia edged past Nuno Borges from Portugal 6-3, 6-4.
Verdasco bids farewell to professional tennis
Meanwhile on Grandstand 3, Fernando Verdasco played his last match of his professional tennis career. The 41-year-old Spaniard lost alongside Novak Djokovic against No. 2 seeds Harri Heliovaara of Finland and Briton Henry Patten 7-5, 6-4.
All good things come to an end @FerVerdasco & @DjokerNole lose 7-5 6-4 in Verdasco’s final tennis match#QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/ngIgtRakFb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 19, 2025
“The emotions are very big, after being for a year and a half out of competition,” Verdasco said in a press conference in Doha this week.
“I was not even thinking of making an official announcement or playing for one last time until I spoke with him [Djokovic]. Now I’m so happy to make it possible here in Doha. I’ve been living here for 10 years now, so this feels like my house, like my home, and there is no better way to retire in my home, with all my family, with my friends, and with someone like Novak Djokovic who, obviously, in the matter of numbers, is the best player in history of tennis and one of the best athletes in history as well.”
