Carlos Alcaraz had a bit of a slow start but quickly found his rhythm to defeat Laslo Djere at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome on Sunday night. This victory marked a significant milestone for Alcaraz, as it was his first time reaching the fourth round of this prestigious Italian tournament.
Alcaraz Overcomes Early Challenges
The young Spaniard, currently ranked No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, won the match with scores of 7-6(2), 6-2. Although Djere was dealing with a right arm injury during the match, Alcaraz managed to maintain his composure and step up his game, especially after a shaky beginning on Campo Centrale.
“It was really tough at first to find my rhythm,” Alcaraz admitted. “Djere played really well in the first set. I knew I had to stay mentally strong and wait for my chances… I was just glad to win the first set.”
Once the second set started, Alcaraz felt he was playing much better, taking advantage of some mistakes from Djere, who also struggled with his injury. With this win, Alcaraz, who had previously beaten Djere in Barcelona last month, has now recorded his 26th victory of the season. Next up for him is a quarter-final showdown against 23rd seed Karen Khachanov, who breezed past home favorite Francesco Passaro in his match.
Alcaraz is keen to build on his performance in Rome, especially since he missed the Madrid Open due to an adductor injury. “I was trying to recover from my injury as best as I could, but then I caught a cold,” he said, referring to the nasal strip he wore during the match. “However, once I’m on the court, I focus on the game and push through. Winning in straight sets helps save energy for the next matches.”
The first set of the match was quite interesting, with Djere initially taking the lead. However, he began to show signs of trouble with his arm, while Alcaraz struggled with his consistency. Despite that, Alcaraz managed to break back twice, including when Djere was serving for the set, forcing it into a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Alcaraz elevated his performance, showcasing impressive shots, including a remarkable forehand slice winner that helped him secure the set. As the second set progressed, Djere’s injury became more apparent, allowing Alcaraz to race ahead and wrap up the match in just one hour and 44 minutes.
If Alcaraz wins against Khachanov on Tuesday, he will have successfully reached the quarter-finals in all nine Masters 1000 events he has participated in, boasting a 4-0 lead in their previous encounters. This upcoming match is not only crucial for his tournament progress but also a testament to his resilience and determination as a young athlete on the ATP Tour.