Alcaraz, Sinner reach Qatar Open quarterfinals

Doha: Carlos Alcaraz roused a big finish to secure progress in straight sets while Jannik Sinner got the better of Alexi Popyrin in top two matches of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Wednesday under lights.World number one Alcaraz overcame Valentin Royer 6-2, 7-5 to seal his quarter-final spot. The Spaniard reeled off five consecutive games from 2-5 in the second set, raising his level in typically classy fashion to round out a 96-minute second-round triumph.“Obviously I had to be prepared for everything,” said Alcaraz, when asked if he ever doubted he could secure the win in straight sets even at 2-5. “There were some moments when I thought about a third set, I’m not going to lie, but obviously it was just a small place in my mind that was thinking that. The rest was working to find solutions, to find the right way again.“I’m just really pleased and really happy I was able to find good rhythm again, and good tennis. It’s just about fighting. I know tennis. It’s just about one point, and sometimes it is really difficult to close out the set or the match. I just had to stay there, and I’m happy I turned it around and got the win in straight sets.”Now on a nine-match winning streak after backing up his Australian Open title run by reaching the quarter-finals in Doha, Alcaraz will on Thursday take on Karen Khachanov for a last-four spot.The seventh-seeded Khachanov, who downed Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 earlier on Wednesday, was the 2024 champion in the Qatari capital.Alcaraz is now on a 27-match winning streak on outdoor hard courts, dating back to his title run at the Cincinnati Open last August. The 22-year-old is chasing his maiden trophy in Doha, where he fell at the quarter-final stage to Jiri Lehecka on event debut a year ago.Earlier, Sinner’s debut run in Doha gathered pace when the Italian secured a composed 6-3, 7-5 victory over Popyrin.The second seed had to work hard during his 85-minute triumph, but absorbed a barrage of big serves and blistering winners to reach the quarter-finals at the Qatari ATP 500.Sinner also extended his streak to 50 consecutive wins against players outside the Top 50 in the ATP Rankings — a run stretching back to his loss to Dusan Lajovic in Cincinnati in 2023.“I respect every player, but I always try to play my best tennis,” Sinner said when told of his streak against Top 50 players. “The ranking, at the end of the day, is just a number. Everyone is playing high quality. Especially when the opponents don’t have much to lose, you always have to stay very focused.”Australian Popyrin fired 16 total winners and thrilled the crowd in a tightly contested set but Sinner kept his composure to advance on debut.“I feel like I started off very well in the first set, not so many problems with my service games,” said Sinner, who did not face a break point. But after I struggled a bit. I felt like he raised his level and I lost a bit of rhythm and confidence. I just tried to dig deep… I’m very happy. You have to find different ways to win matches.”Sinner is competing in his first tournament since his painful five-set semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and is targeting a third straight ATP 500 title after lifting trophies in Beijing and Vienna in October.A championship-match clash against Alcaraz is a possibility, which will be the 17th chapter of their rapidly developing rivalry.Before then, however, the Italian must negotiate a last-eight meeting with sixth seed and 2024 finalist Jakub Mensik, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Zhang Zhizhen. The 20-year-old continues his upward surge after winning the Brisbane title in January, climbing three spots to No. 13 in the rankings — surpassing his previous career high of No. 16.Elsewhere in Sinner’s section of the draw are Jiri Lehecka and Arthur Fils, who both advanced on Wednesday to set a quarter-final meeting in Doha. Lehecka, who last year beat Alcaraz en route to the semi-finals, eased past Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-1, while Fils prevailed 6-1, 7-6(7) over countryman Quentin Halys. 

13th edition of CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines at Al Shaqab from today

Doha: Longines Arena at Al Shaqab will host the CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines equestrian championship from 18–21 February 2026, marking the 13th edition of one of the world’s few CHI events and the only competition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia.CHI stands for Concours Hippique International, a multi-discipline format bringing show jumping, dressage and para dressage together in one premium event.The 2026 programme welcomes a strong international field and a total event prize fund of €1,373,000. In show jumping, over 40 countries will be represented, with 303 riders and 469 horses set to compete across CSIY-B, CSICh-B, CSI1*, CSI3* and CSI5*.The dressage programme features CDI5* with 14 riders and 14 horses, and CDI1* with 12 riders and 12 horses, alongside CPEDI3* para dressage with 12 riders and 12 horses.Speaking at the event launch press conference, Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al Thani, Assistant Deputy Director, Doha Equestrian Tour, said, “CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines reflects our continued commitment to delivering world-class equestrian sport that reinforces Doha’s position on the international calendar. As the 13th edition of one of the world’s few CHI events, and the only competition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia, it brings show jumping, dressage and para dressage together in one premium week at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. With a total prize fund of €1,373,000 and a strong international field across all three disciplines, the programme builds towards a Grand Prix weekend, headlined by Saturday’s CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Longines.”Jassim Al Mahmoud, Director of Communications and Public Relations, Visit Qatar, said, “CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines reflects Visit Qatar’s continued commitment to supporting world-class international events that reinforce Qatar’s position as a global destination for sport and excellence. Equestrian holds a special place in Qatar’s cultural heritage and national identity, and this championship provides a valuable platform to showcase that legacy to international audiences. With Al Shaqab recognised as one of only five destinations worldwide, and the only one in the Middle East and Asia, to host an event of this caliber, we are proud to welcome riders, officials and visitors from around the world and invite them to experience Qatar’s hospitality, infrastructure and diverse year-round offering.”Fiona Howard (USA), para dressage athlete and winner of the Para Grand Prix A (Grade II) at CHI Al Shaqab 2023 said the event was her favourite. “CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines is always my favourite competition of the year. This is my third time attending, and the weather is incredible, and the people here are so welcoming. I love bringing my horses here. I brought a young horse this time, and I’m very excited to be back in Doha. I want to give my horse a very special experience,” she said.CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines is a premium international week, delivering top-level sport from youth classes through to CSI5* show jumping and CDI5* dressage, alongside a dedicated CPEDI3* para dressage programme. The event also includes the FEI Group VII qualifier, further reinforcing its role in supporting the sport’s competitive pathways across the region.In the CSI4*/5* standings, Scott Brash (GBR) leads on 199 points, followed by Harry Charles (GBR) on 144, and Megane Moissonnier (FRA) on 113. In CSI1*, the standings are led by Qatari riders, with Saad Ahmed S A Al Saad (QAT) on 66 points, ahead of Hussain Said A M Haidan (QAT) on 43, and Ali Omar A H Al Ansari (QAT) on 32.Across four days, CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines builds toward Grand Prix weekend across disciplines, from para dressage to five-star show jumping.Thursday, 19 February brings a major para dressage milestone as the programme features the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix A, setting the tone for the para dressage storyline of the week.Friday, 20 February continues the para and dressage build-up with the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix B and the CDI5* Grand Prix, while the show jumping programme adds a crowd favourite: the CSI3* 1.30m Jump & Drive.A signature spectator-friendly format, Jump & Drive delivers fast-paced entertainment. The rider first completes the jumping phase on horseback, then switches immediately into a car and races through a driving course with obstacles. Jump & Drive is a format that blends athletic precision, speed, and split-second decision-making across two disciplines in one class.Saturday, 21 February is the peak day, with multiple headline finals across disciplines: the CDI5* Grand Prix Special, the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle*, and the CDI5* CHI AL SHAQAB Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Longines. In show jumping, the day culminates in three Grand Prix showdowns: CSI1* Grand Prix 1.30m (Jump-Off), CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m (Jump-Off), and the feature class CSI5* CHI AL SHAQAB Grand Prix presented by Longines 1.60m (Jump-Off).The CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines is organized by Al Shaqab, the Qatar Equestrian Federation and the Qatar Olympic Committee, in partnership with Longines as Presenting Partner, ExxonMobil and Visit Qatar as Main Sponsors, Qatar Airways as Official Airline Partner, Hamad Medical Corporation as Official Medical Partner, Aspetar as Official Sports Medicine Partner, EVMC as Official Veterinary Partner, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana as Official Transportation Partner, ALKASS Sports Channels as Official Broadcaster, Msheireb Properties as Official Sponsor, Primepower as Supplementary Partner and Education Above All as Official Humanitarian Partner.Doha Equestrian Tour: Inaugurated in 2025, the Doha Equestrian Tour is a premium international show jumping series hosted at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, one of the world’s leading equestrian venues. The Tour brings together elite riders, world-class horses, and top-level competition, combining sporting excellence with a refined event experience. Its mission is to reinforce Doha’s position as a global equestrian hub while promoting performance, horsemanship, and the highest standards of organization, integrity, and international competition.Four days of premium multi-discipline sport at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, spanning show jumping, dressage and para dressage, building towards a packed Saturday of Grand Prix showdowns.

Alcaraz battles into second round of Qatar Open

Doha: Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to action following his Australian Open triumph as he beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the first round in Doha on Tuesday.Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with his victory in Melbourne, saw off the 30th-ranked Rinderknech in two closely contested sets.“It was really difficult,” Alcaraz said after his one hour, 47-minute win. “Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round... I’m happy with the level. I’m happy that I got through difficult moments in the match. I’m happy that I stayed calm [and] positive, and played great tennis.”The world number one will face another Frenchman in round two, 60th-ranked Valentin Royer.Alcaraz took the first set after breaking in the fifth game but faced dogged resistance from Rinderknech, who brought up his first break points of the match with the top seed serving to force a tie-break in the second set.The Spaniard saved both and then closed out victory in the tie-break, ripping a forehand down the line on match point.This week, Alcaraz is aiming to improve on last year’s debut result in Doha, where he fell to Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals. The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings will next meet Frenchman Valentin Royer. Alcaraz can only meet second seed Sinner — who surged past Tomas Machac on Monday — in the championship match, which would be the 17th chapter of their thrilling rivalry.tefanos Tsitsipas ignited his Doha campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui, booking a popcorn second-round clash with 2023 winner and longtime rival Daniil Medvedev. Tsitsipas trails 4-10 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, though they have not met since Shanghai in 2024.Jiri Lehecka, Zizou Bergs, Fabian Marozsan and Zhang Zhizhen also all advanced on Tuesday. Lehecka eased past Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-3, Bergs overcame Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4, Marozsan dispatched Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-1 and Zhang downed Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-4.Alcaraz's chief rival Jannik Sinner is on the other side of the draw. No player other than Alcaraz or Sinner has won a tour-level title at an event featuring both of them since Andrey Rublev lifted the trophy in Madrid in May 2024.

QOA Celebrates Graduation of Postgraduate Program Participants

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) celebrated Tuesday the graduation of students from its postgraduate programs at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), under the patronage of HE President of the QOC and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QOA Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani.The ceremony witnessed the graduation of students from the Advanced Diploma in Sports and Olympic Institutions Management program, as well as a cohort from the Master's in Sports Law program, unique in the region, offered in collaboration with the University of Lleida in Spain and accredited by the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia, the International Olympic Academy, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the QOC. The certificates also received recognition from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in the State of Qatar.The Advanced Diploma in Sports and Olympic Institutions Management represents a core pillar of the QOA's annual agenda and was launched for the first time in 2008 by the QOC through the Academy. The program was among the first twenty Olympic committees worldwide to implement such a curriculum and became the first in the Gulf and Arab regions to do so.Participants in the diploma program receive extensive training in fields essential to sports administration and management, including the structuring of sports and Olympic institutions, strategic planning for sports organizations, and the management of major sporting events. The program spans six semesters.The 15th cohort of the 2025 diploma program included 45 students from Qatar and abroad, representing diverse professional and sporting backgrounds. This batch featured distinguished Qatari, Gulf, and Arab athletes.The graduation ceremony was attended by HE QOC First Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Yousuf Al Manaa; HE QOC Second Vice-Chairman Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari; and HE QOC Secretary-General and QOA Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain.The ceremony began with a speech by QOA Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, expressing gratitude to the International Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, and the QOC for their efforts in supporting these programs.He congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue their postgraduate studies in these specialized fields.The Academy's statistics for 2025 were presented, including the number and types of programs offered, the students' nationalities, academic qualifications, and other key figures.QOA Executive Director Khalil Al Jaber expressed his pride in graduating a new cohort of students from the Master's in Sports Law program, as well as the 15th batch of the Advanced Diploma in Sports and Olympic Institutions Management for 2025.He said that the Academy takes pride in reaching the 15th batch of graduates, bringing the total number of graduates to over 600 students from Qatar and abroad across diverse professional fields.Al Jaber added that he feels proud of the graduates who joined the Academy family after a full year of studying, receiving extensive training in administrative, financial, organizational, and sports management fields, enhancing their professional and academic expertise.He also highlighted the outstanding graduates whose projects were selected by the International Olympic Academy for publication, study, and inclusion among the distinguished projects of the year.Al Jaber expressed gratitude to the International Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, and the QOC for their unlimited support for this program, which launched its 16th edition this year.The Executive Director extended congratulations to all diligent students on their graduation and wished them success in their professional journeys.He emphasized that graduates serve as ambassadors of the Academy and represent it at the highest level.He expressed satisfaction with the program's impact on students' performance and professional development across various fields and countries.Al Jaber concluded by noting that the Academy is preparing to open registration for the 16th batch in 2026, which continues to attract increasing interest each year, reflecting the value of the program and the skills it imparts, which contribute significantly to students' professional and personal lives.

Sinner springs back to form with assertive Doha debut

Doha: Jannik Sinner began to turn the sting of recent heartbreak into renewed purpose at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha on Monday as he thrilled the crowd with a striking debut performance at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2026.Two weeks after his five-set defeat to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Sinner returned to winning ways with a rock-solid 6-1, 6-4 win over Tomas Machac at the hard-court ATP 500 event in Doha. With his 70-minute victory, the second seed extended his winning streak at this level to 11 matches, having won titles in Beijing and Vienna last October.“Today was a little bit worse than yesterday,” Sinner said of the windy Doha conditions. “But you have to adapt to every situation and condition on the court. We also played a couple of matches before, so I knew a little (about) what to expect. I felt good on court today. Physically I feel good. Every match is going to get tougher, so hopefully I will be ready for the next one.”During his ruthlessly efficient first-round performance, Sinner dropped just six points on serve, and expertly handled an explosive start to the second set from Machac. After letting slip three match points on return — in the ninth game of the second set, which featured scintillating winners from both men — Sinner sealed the victory with a statement finish behind his own delivery.With top seed and fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz also in fray, Sinner will look to maintain the pair’s stranglehold whenever they share a draw. Since Andrey Rublev’s triumph in Madrid in May 2024, no player other than Sinner or Alcaraz has captured a tour-level title at an event featuring both of them.Sinner will next take on Alexei Popyrin, who eased past Qatari wild card Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-0, 6-2.Jakub Mensik and Arthur Fils also booked their spots in the second round on Monday in Doha, where they rallied to three-set wins. Sixth seed Mensik overcame qualifier Jan Choinski 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4 and Fils defeated Kamil Majchrzak 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.

School Olympic Program honours 24 players who joined national teams

Doha: The Organizing Committee of the School Olympic Program held a ceremony today to honour promising athletes who joined Qatar’s national teams through the program.The event was attended by H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; H.E. Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee; and Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the School Olympic Program, along with several presidents and representatives of sports federations.A total of 24 male and female athletes were honoured during the ceremony. These talents were identified and developed through the School Olympic Program and have successfully represented Qatar’s national teams across seven sports: football, hockey, rugby, volleyball, shooting, and tennis.On this occasion, H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana expressed his appreciation to H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, for his continued support of the School Olympic Program. He noted that this backing reflects a clear vision and a sustainable investment in the development of Qatari sport by focusing on identifying and nurturing young talent within an integrated institutional framework.Al Mana emphasized that the School Olympic Program represents one of the fundamental pathways in building a strong sporting base to support national teams in the future. He added that the inclusion of several players in the national squads is the result of joint efforts between sports and educational institutions.He also stressed the importance of providing an appropriate environment and continuous technical and administrative support to enable these athletes to continue their sporting journeys with confidence and stability, and to achieve further success that elevates Qatar’s name at regional and international competitions.For his part, H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain affirmed that the School Olympic Program has become a cornerstone in discovering sporting talent across various disciplines. He noted that the athletes honoured have demonstrated distinguished technical levels and proved their readiness to transition to higher competitive stages in the coming period.He highlighted that sports federations increasingly rely on the program’s outputs to supply national teams with promising talents, stressing that integration between schools, federations, and national teams constitutes a successful model in preparing a new generation of athletes capable of representing Qatar in future events.He added that honouring these players serves as a significant motivation for them to continue working diligently, while reinforcing a culture of structured progression within the sporting pathway, contributing to the development of a sustainable sports system that serves the future of Qatari sport.In his address during the ceremony, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani stated:“This gathering is not merely a recognition ceremony; it represents a milestone in evaluating and acknowledging the success of the Talent Identification Project, one of the executive initiatives within the School Olympic Program. The project was designed to serve as an organized link between the school, the sports federation, and the national team, within a clear and integrated pathway for champion development.”He added that the Ministry of Education has played a pivotal role in this system by empowering the school environment, supporting program implementation, and enhancing the role of schools and physical education teachers in the early identification and nomination of talent according to clear standards. He noted that the School Olympic Program then structures the discovery process, unifies procedures, and ensures a systematic transition of talented athletes from the school environment to the competitive pathway within an approved technical and administrative framework.He further emphasized that sports federations form the core technical pillar of this system, assuming responsibility for nurturing, training, and specialized development, and providing talented athletes with qualified coaches and technical programs to enable their progression from potential to tangible achievement in competitions.In the same context, Mr. Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Executive Director of the School Olympic Program, affirmed that the program has become a key pillar in Qatar’s talent identification system. He noted that the achievement of 23 athletes joining national teams reflects the success of the adopted mechanisms in scouting, development, and follow-up.He explained that the program goes beyond identifying talent, operating through an integrated methodology that includes continuous technical evaluation, coordination with sports federations, and ensuring a structured transition from the school environment to the competitive pathway, thereby contributing to building a sustainable sports base that supports the future of national teams.He concluded that honouring these promising athletes enhances their motivation, reinforces a culture of commitment and discipline, and encourages other students to engage in a structured sporting pathway in line with the country’s direction toward investing in young talent.