ATP Dubai Championships: Rising Star Stuns World No. 3 in Semifinal Thriller

The ATP Dubai Championships witnessed one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 tennis season as Italian qualifier Marco Berrettini stunned world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-4 in a captivating semifinal encounter. The 22-year-old's victory marks his first-ever win against a top-five opponent and secures his place in tomorrow's final.

Berrettini, who entered the tournament ranked 127th in the world, displayed remarkable composure throughout the match, never allowing Alcaraz to establish his trademark aggressive baseline game. The Italian's serve proved crucial, firing 14 aces while winning 85% of his first-serve points in a performance that belied his ranking.

The first set provided edge-of-the-seat drama, with both players holding serve until the decisive tiebreak. Berrettini showed nerves of steel, saving two set points before converting his third set point with a blistering forehand winner down the line. The crowd at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium rose to their feet in appreciation of the young Italian's fearless tennis.

Alcaraz, who had looked dominant in his earlier rounds, struggled to find rhythm against Berrettini's varied game plan. The Spaniard's usually reliable forehand misfired at crucial moments, while Berrettini's defensive skills frustrated his opponent's attempts to dictate play from the baseline.

The second set saw Berrettini maintain his aggressive mindset, earning the crucial break in the seventh game with a perfectly executed passing shot. Despite Alcaraz's desperate attempts to level the match, including a stunning running forehand winner that brought the crowd to its feet, the Italian held his nerve to serve out the match.

Berrettini's remarkable week continues tomorrow when he faces either Daniil Medvedev or Jannik Sinner in the final. Regardless of the result, his ranking will improve dramatically, potentially breaking into the top 50 for the first time in his career. The victory also represents a significant breakthrough for Italian tennis, adding to the country's growing reputation as a tennis powerhouse.