Carlos Alcaraz reflects on journey after hard-fought Marin Cilic win at Qatar Open - 'It has been a dream'
By Rhys Jones
Updated 17/02/2025 at 22:13 GMT
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Top seed Carlos Alcaraz earned a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 win against Marin Cilic to advance to the second round at the Qatar Open in Doha. The windy conditions made it a struggle for the Spaniard but he eventually overwhelmed his Croatian opponent. Alcaraz reflected on the five years since his ATP debut in 2020, calling the journey since then "a dream."
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after defeating Croatia's Marin Cilic during their men's singles match at the ATP Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha on February 17, 2025.. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz battled to a hard-fought 6-4 6-4 win over Marin Cilic to win his debut at the Qatar Open in Doha, and reflected on the five years since making his ATP debut, calling the journey "a dream."
The top-seeded Spaniard battled testing conditions in the wind on Monday but clinched the win to progress to the round of 16, where he will face Zhizhen Zhang or Luca Nardi.
The 21-year-old claimed his first indoor title in Rotterdam earlier in February and his win over the Croatian brought him to 10-1 in 2025.
"Marin always puts on a lot of pressure when you’re serving, he’s a great returner and [has a] really aggressive game," said Alcaraz.
"I’m really pleased about saving that game and giving myself the opportunity to [stay] alive.
"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."
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Tuesday in Qatar will mark five years since Alcaraz made his ATP debut, winning in the first round of the Rio Open in 2020.
"It has been a dream, the journey since that moment has been a dream," he added.
"I have faced difficult moments, I think everybody did in the pandemic and these last five years. But this journey has been a dream for me since making my first ATP win to reaching my dream, becoming No. 1 in the world and winning Grand Slams."
Cilic was competing in his first event since November after recovering from a knee injury, and did well to raise his level and apply pressure on Alcaraz across two sets.
The 36-year-old was, however, blown away by Alcaraz in the latter stages of the second set, as the Spaniard broke Cilic's serve and won three games in a row to clinch the set and the match.
DJOKOVIC AND VERDASCO CRUISE THROUGH DOHA DOUBLES OPENER
Novak Djokovic teamed up with Fernando Verdasco to put on a show in what will be the final ATP Tour event of the Spaniard's career.
On the doubles court on Monday, the pair sailed past Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov 6-1 6-1 in under 50 minutes to reach the second round in Doha.
"I have to say, maybe after this match I shouldn’t play the second round," said Verdasco. "I should just go and retire by winning 6-1, 6-1. It’s the best feeling ever, thank you so much for coming today, and see you on Wednesday."
The 41-year-old reached a high of No. 7 in the ATP singles rankings in his career, and won the doubles at the ATP Finals in 2013 alongside David Marrero.
They will face the duo of Harri Heliovaara and Brit Henry Patten in the quarter-finals.
DRAPER BEATS POPYRIN IN DOHA DEBUT
British No. 1 Jack Draper clinched a straight sets victory on his Doha debut, beating Alexei Popyrin 6-2 7-6(4) in the Qatar Open.
It was Draper’s first match back since retiring while two sets down to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old made quick work of the first set and took only 27 minutes to take the 6-2 win.
Australia’s Popyrin pushed Draper in the second, however, forcing the Brit to come from behind and save a set point at 5-6.
Draper will face another Australian in the second round as he matches up with Christopher O'Connell.
A win in that match could see Draper meet Novak Djokovic, who is hunting his 100th ATP title and faces former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini in the first round on Tuesday.
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