ATP Doha: Carlos Alcaraz tops Marin Ciulic, makes profitable debut

World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz made a profitable debut in Doha. The Spaniard performed his first match on the ATP 500 occasion towards Marin Cilic in a battle of the previous US Open champions. The younger gun ousted the veteran 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 39 minutes for a spot within the second spherical.

The Spaniard got here to Doha after lifting his first indoor ATP title. The four-time Main winner didn’t play at his finest, however it was sufficient to seal the deal in straight units. The highest seed took 12 factors extra and made the distinction behind the second serve.

Alcaraz denied 5 of six break factors and transformed three of ten alternatives on the return to emegre on the prime.

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 17, 2025

The younger gun hit extra service winners and completed the duel with 17 direct factors and 20 errors. Marin landed 21 winners however sprayed 35 errors, lacking equally from each wings. The Croat fought nicely in his first match of the season however couldn’t trigger an upset.

Marin Cilic & Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025 © Stream screenshot

The Croat missed a forehand within the first sport of the duel and dropped serve. Marin attacked on the return within the second sport and welcomed the rival’s mistake to tug the break again. The veteran saved two break factors within the third sport and closed the fifth after a deuce for 3-2.

Carlos denied a break level within the sixth sport with a service winner and held for 3-3. The highest seed made the last word push on the return in sport seven. Alcaraz generated 5 break factors and seized the final with a forehand assault and a compelled error.

Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot

The Spaniard cemented the lead with a maintain at 15 in sport eight and served for the opener at 5-4. Carlos landed a robust serve on a set level, wrapping up the primary a part of the duel 6-4 in 55 minutes. They served nicely within the first seven video games of the second set.

The returners stood no likelihood, and Cilic landed a artful winner on the internet within the seventh sport for 4-3. The Croat made the last word push on the return in sport eight and created three break possibilities with a forehand crosscourt winner.

Alcaraz saved his composure and denied them with service winners. The younger gun held with a effective forehand assault and gained confidence. Marin confronted the primary points on serve within the ninth sport. He misplaced an prolonged rally and confronted break factors.

Cilic netted a routine forehand on the second, falling 5-4 behind and permitting Alcaraz to serve for the win. The Croat made one final push and created a break likelihood with a compelled error. Carlos erased it with a service winner and earned a match level with a backhand winner.

The highest seed fired a service winner to seal the deal and make a profitable begin.