New Delhi: Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz made a sensational return at the ongoing Italian Open in Rome on Friday after a brief injury layoff. Alcaraz registered a straight sets victory, 6-3, 6-3 over Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic which raised his confidence after withdrawal from the Madrid Open in the last month.
The third-ranked Spanish player had to withdraw from the tournament in April because of an upper right leg ailment that had troubled him in the Barcelona Open final match as well. He also sustained a left leg injury that kept him away from live action. The match in Rome proved to be an easy affair for Alcaraz as he blew away he opponent within no time.
Against the Serbian qualifier, Alcaraz wore a long black brace that covered the upper portion of his right leg and stretched down to just below his knee. Right from the beginning of the match, Alcaraz dominated the proceedings winning the first four games but dropped his serve when served for the first set at 5-2. But in the next game, the Spanish ace came back in the next game to close it out.
Alcaraz’s mesmeric speed on clay court
The Spanish giant showed off his swiftness on the clay court at the Foro Italico when he ran down a drop shot and produced a backhand winner on key point. After merging victorious in the first set, Alcaraz also went ahead early in the second and the last set. Alcaraz, who won the Monte Carlo Masters in April, improved to 10-1 on clay this season. He will next face either 31st seed Alex Michelsen or Laslo Djere.
A four-time Grand Slam champion, Alcaraz is preparing to defend his title at the Roland Garros, which starts on May 25. Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka opened with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Anastasia Potapova.
Carlos Alcaraz made a sensational return at the ongoing Italian Open 2025 in Rome on Friday after a brief injury layoff. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
