Carlos Alcaraz vs Valentin Royer Preview & Prediction | 2026 Qatar Open | Round of 16
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World number one Carlos Alcaraz continues his campaign in Doha against Valentin Royer.
Ranking points: ATP 500
Start date/time:
Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Surface: Outdoor hard
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel
Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Carlos Alcaraz vs Valentin Royer ticket information
Carlos Alcaraz vs Valentin Royer prediction
Carlos Alcaraz continued his unbeaten run against Arthur Rinderknech as he defeated the Frenchman for a fifth time in the first-round of the Qatar Open. Alcaraz comfortably took the first set but was pushed in the second by Rinderknech, as he was forced to save a couple of set points when serving to stay in it at 6-5 down. Nevertheless, a marvellous forehand winner in the tiebreak sealed a 6-4 7-6 (5) win for the Spaniard, who has won his first eight matches of the season.
He now takes on Valentin Royer. The Frenchman recorded his first tour-level win of the campaign after thrashing qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets. Royer stormed ahead and won the first seven games in the match as he sealed a 6-0 6-3 victory after just an hour and two minutes.
Alcaraz will only have benefited from his testing encounter with Rinderknech, and should find it easier against Royer, who is ranked outside the world’s top 50. This is likely to be a more emphatic result in favour of the seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Valentin Royer tip: Under 19.5 games
