Carlos Alcaraz showed his mettle to secure his place in the Qatar Open final by downing reigning champion Andrey Rublev in straight sets.

It took just over two hours for the world number one to earn his 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory and reach the competition's showpiece for the very first time.

Alcaraz fended off two early break points in the first set before taking the lead, racing 4-2 in front, only for it to be wiped out as Rublev pulled back to 5-5.

The Spaniard then had the chance to serve out the set, but could not convert the set point, and Rublev broke his serve to force a tie-break, in which Alcaraz triumphed.

Alcaraz then raced into a 3-0 lead in the second, but once again found himself pegged back as Rublev quickly pulled back to 3-3.

The top seed continued to push, but with the chance to serve out the match, he squandered his first three match points, and it took a further three for him to get over the line as he broke Rublev's serve.

See you in the silverware showdown

World No.1 @carlosalcaraz breaks new ground in Doha 7-6(3), 6-4  Rublev@QatarTennis | #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/clGTuSEvTM

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 20, 2026

"I know what I am able to do every time I step on the court, what I am capable of doing," Alcaraz said when asked if he is ever amazed by himself.

"The way that I am approaching every match, I'm just really proud about it. It's something I am trying to be better at, and it's paying off. I'm proud of myself [for] getting better and maturing."

Alcaraz will face Arthur Fils in Saturday's final after the Frenchman held his nerve to earn a straight-sets victory over Jakub Mensik later on Friday.

Fils claimed a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over Mensik, who had knocked out Jannik Sinner on Thursday, in one hour and 38 minutes.

Data Debrief: Alcaraz into another final

Alcaraz will compete in his 34th tour-level final when he steps back out onto the court, having previously gone 25-8 in his past showpieces.

The 22-year-old, who began the year by winning his first Australian Open title, has now won 11 straight matches to start the year.