Carlos Alcaraz proves psychological power, fends off Marin Cilic problem in Doha

Carlos Alcaraz is looking for his 18th ATP title in Doha and the second in a row after Rotterdam. The 21-year-old performed his first match in Doha in opposition to Marin Cilic and earned a 6-4, 6-4 triumph in an hour and 39 minutes. 

The Spaniard fired extra unforced errors than winners. Nevertheless, he saved the stress on the opposite aspect and escaped within the closing phases of the second set to keep away from a decider. Carlos praised Marin and his attacking talents. 

The 21-year-old talked about these scary moments and defined how he saved his composure to beat them.

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 17, 2025

Alcaraz took 12 factors greater than Cilic and outplayed him behind the second serve. The younger gun confronted six break factors and denied 5, mounting the stress on the opposite aspect. Competing for the primary time since November final yr, Marin couldn’t observe that tempo. 

The Croat performed in opposition to ten break factors and gave serve away thrice to expertise an early loss. Cilic sprayed too many errors from each wings and fell within the pivotal moments regardless of a stable effort. The extra skilled participant sprayed a forehand error within the first recreation. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He misplaced serve and despatched the younger gun in entrance. Nevertheless, Alcaraz skilled a break within the second recreation, bringing his rival again to the constructive aspect. Cilic erased two break factors within the third recreation for his first maintain and survived a deuce in recreation 5 for 3-2. 

Carlos confronted a break level in recreation six and denied it with a service winner earlier than locking the end result at 3-3. The Spaniard made a push on the return in recreation seven and created 5 break possibilities. The Croat saved 4, doing every little thing to keep away from a break. 

Nevertheless, the highest seed assault on the fifth and precipitated the rival’s mistake for a break and a 4-3 benefit. Alcaraz held at 15 in recreation eight and fired a service winner at 5-4 to wrap up the opener in 55 minutes. The returners had no possibilities within the first seven recreation of the second set.

Marin Cilic, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Marin closed the seventh recreation with a winner on the web and stepped in on the return within the subsequent one. He landed a forehand crosscourt winner and generated three break possibilities. Carlos stayed targeted and saved them with three unreturned serves. 

The 21-year-old held and gained confidence. Alcaraz claimed an prolonged rally within the ninth recreation and earned two break factors. Cilic netted a forehand on the second, shedding serve and falling 5-4 behind. Alcaraz served for the win in recreation ten and confronted a break level after a pressured error. 

The highest seed saved it with a service winner and painted one from his backhand for a match level. The four-time Main winner transformed it with a service winner, transferring excessive and reaching the second spherical.

Marin Cilic & Carlos Alcaraz, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot

 

“We all know how good Marin is. He constantly applies pressure on his rivals, especially in his games. His aggressive approach can cause damage, making him dangerous on the return. I’m happy to overcome a scary moment in the second set.

I survived, and it was crucial to keep my composure and calm in those moments and return to my routines. I focused on my shots while saving those break points, the only pattern to win the match in straight sets,” Carlos Alcaraz mentioned.