Doha: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1, advanced to the second round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open with a straight-sets victory over France's Arthur Rinderknech, currently ranked No. 28. Competing on the main court at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex, the 22-year-old Alcaraz secured a 6-4, 7-6 win in one hour and 47 minutes.
According to Qatar News Agency, Alcaraz will next face on Wednesday another Frenchman, Valentin Royer, ranked No. 60. Royer booked his spot after a dominant 6-0, 6-3 win over compatriot Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who had progressed through the qualifying rounds.