Karen Khachanov clinched his sixth tour-level title and the first of the season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, after an intense showdown against Czech Jakub Mensik.

The 27-year-old Russian showcased his resilience, saving four set points in the opener and eventually seizing the set with a powerful forehand return. His dominance continued into the second set, where he broke Mensik's serve early on, dashing the young Czech's hopes of a fairytale victory in his third tour-level appearance.

Reflecting on his win, Khachanov expressed the significance of each title and the satisfaction of triumphing in Doha. He credited his mental strength, drawing parallels between his tight semifinal tie-break and the one in the final. Throughout the match, both players unleashed thunderous serves, with Khachanov humorously comparing Mensik's performance to that of towering ace-master John Isner.

Khachanov's command on serve, coupled with his prowess in baseline rallies, ensured he didn't face a single break point, ultimately clinching victory without dropping a set throughout the tournament.

Mensik, despite falling short in the final, showcased remarkable form throughout the week, defeating formidable opponents and earning a career-high ranking. His impressive run positions him as a rising star in the tennis world, leading the charge in the race to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals.