Carlos Alcaraz vs Karen Khachanov Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Alcaraz targets Qatar Open semi-finals

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 18 Feb 2026 23:19

Andrew Hendrie 18 Feb 2026

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Karen Khachanov predictions for Thursday's ATP Doha quarter-final
Alcaraz has won 40 of his last 41 matches vs players outside the top 15
Alcaraz 9-0 for the year & on 27-match winning streak on outdoor hardcourt
Over 19.5 games is backed having landed in the pair's last 16 combined Doha matches
The match is scheduled to start at 3.30am AEDT on Friday February 20

Expired

Carlos Alcaraz (Photo by Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz vs Karen Khachanov Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz continues his pursuit of a first Qatar Open title when he squares off against former champion Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Karen Khachanov Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Alcaraz vs Khachanov Stats & Trends
Alcaraz vs Khachanov Head To Head
Carlos Alcaraz Form Analysis
Karen Khachanov Form Analysis
Alcaraz vs Khachanov Live Stream

It goes without saying that Alcaraz is on fire right now - he's a perfect 9-0 in 2026 and he's riding a 27-match winning streak on outdoor hardcourts dating back to Cincinnati last year. However, the Spaniard hasn't been all that convincing in Doha so far and was forced to recover from 2-5 down in the second set before closing out Valentin Royer 6-2 7-5 in his previous round. Meanwhile, Khachanov is into the Dubai quarter-finals for the third time after a hard-fought three-set victory over Marton Fucsovics.

Again, not much value in a match featuring Alcaraz or Sinner, but I'm keen to jump on Over 19.5 total games, which has landed in all of the top seed's previous Doha outings. Khachanov has also gone over this total in his last 12 matches in Doha, while he's gone to a deciding set in his last five outings overall. The Russian has also pushed Alcaraz over this game total in their last three encounters - but he is yet to beat the Spaniard.

Alcaraz vs Khachanov Stats & Trends

Alcaraz has won 40 of his last 41 matches vs players outside the top 15
Alcaraz's last three wins over players in that range in best-of-three matches have seen Over 19.5 games
Alcaraz is 9-0 to start the season
Alcaraz has won his last 27 matches on outdoor hardcourt
Alcaraz is 16-4 lifetime vs Russian opponents
Khachanov has seen Over 19.5 games in his last 12 Doha matches
Khachanov has seen Over 19.5 games in his last six best-of-three matches
Khachanov is 5-35 lifetime vs top five players

Alcaraz vs Khachanov Head To Head

Alcaraz leads 5-0, but this will be just their second meeting on hardcourt.

Year	Tournament	Round	Surface	Winner	Score
2025	Rome	Round of 16	Clay	Carlos Alcaraz	6–3, 3–6, 7–5
2024	Beijing	Quarterfinal	Hard	Carlos Alcaraz	7–5, 6–2
2023	Madrid	Quarterfinal	Clay	Carlos Alcaraz	6–4, 7–5
2022	Hamburg	Quarterfinal	Clay	Carlos Alcaraz	6–0, 6–2
2022	Roland Garros	Round of 16	Clay	Carlos Alcaraz	6–1, 6–4, 6–4

Carlos Alcaraz Form Analysis

2026 Record: 9-0
ATP Doha Record: 4-1
Current Ranking: No. 1
Career-High Ranking: No. 1

Alcaraz is the undisputed best player in the world right now.

The 22-year-old became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam when he won his first Australian Open title last month, defeating Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard has now won seven major titles.

Alcaraz has improved his season record to 9-0 and his outdoor winning streak to 27 matches by making the quarter-finals in Doha this week.

It hasn't been flawless tennis, but Alcaraz came through the big-serving Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 7-6 before recovering from 2-5 down in the second set against Valentin Royer to prevail 6-2 7-5.

“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," Alcaraz said post-match.

“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.”

Karen Khachanov Form Analysis

2026 Record: 5-3
ATP Doha Record: 10-4
Current Ranking: No. 17
Career-High Ranking: No. 8 (2019)

Khachanov certainly hasn't been at his best to start this season, but you can never fault his effort, which keeps him in a lot of matches.

After losing in the opening round of Hong Kong to Michael Mmoh and going down in the third round of the Australian Open against Luciano Darderi, Khachanov has gone to a deciding set in his last four matches.

The Russian was ousted in the second round of Rotterdam by Jaume Munar, but has bounced back with a quarter-final run in Doha, beating lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki 6-1 3-6 6-4 before a 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory over Marton Fucsovics.

Khachanov is a former champion in Dubai, beating Jakub Mensik in the 2024 final.

Alcaraz vs Khachanov Live Stream

Watch and bet on Carlos Alcaraz vs Karen Khachanov live tennis from Doha.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Doha with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Carlos Alcaraz v Karen Khachanov

Over 19.5 games has landed in the last three meetings between the pair, Alcaraz's last five matches in Doha and Khachanov's last 12 matches in Doha - that's the main play here.