Jannik Sinner Stopped in Doha Quarterfinals as Mensik Delivers Upset, Alcaraz Widens Lead
Jannik Sinner was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Doha ATP 500, losing to Jakub Mensik 7-6, 2-6, 6-3, a result that has widened the ATP points gap with the leader to 2, 900 points.
Jannik Sinner halted by Mensik in three sets
The match played out as a roller-coaster of momentum shifts. Sinner dropped the first set in a tiebreak, responded by dominating the second set 6-2, but could not sustain that level in the decider and surrendered the third set 6-3. Mensik's mix of heavy serving and aggressive baseline play created persistent problems; Sinner at times signalled frustration, suggesting he was missing something needed to close out key moments. The Czech player sealed the win and will advance to the semifinal, where he is set to face Arthur Fils.
Ranking fallout: Alcaraz extends lead as Doha results reshape gap
The outcome in Doha produced immediate consequences in the ATP race. With Sinner's quarterfinal exit and the ongoing progress of the leader in the same event, the gap in the live ATP standings has increased to 2, 900 points from 2, 850 at the tournament's start. The leader remains active in the draw and is scheduled to meet Andrey Rublev in the semifinal on Friday, February 20 (ET), giving him a chance to further widen the margin.
The combination of Mensik's breakthrough performance and the leader's continued run in the event leaves Sinner with a clearer view of the work ahead. From Doha, the immediate calendar moves the focus toward the next high-profile tournaments, where Sinner will need deeper runs to close the expanded deficit in the standings.
On-court details underline why the match swung Mensik's way: a powerful serve that regularly troubled Sinner's returns, precision short balls at crucial moments, and the ability to lift intensity when under pressure. After losing the opening set's tiebreak, Sinner recovered impressively in the second set but could not maintain that momentum in the decider, where an early break put him on the back foot and Mensik consolidated to finish the victory.
The result marks a notable setback for Sinner at this event and reshuffles immediate expectations for the season's early stretch. Mensik moves on with confidence after toppling a top-ranked opponent, while the leader's semifinal presence means the ATP points race will be monitored closely through the weekend.
