Carlos Alcaraz overcomes 'tough' first set to beat Laslo Djere and claim place in round of 16 at Italian Open in Rome

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Carlos Alcaraz overcame a difficult first set to dispatch Laslo Djere 7-6(2) 6-2 and reach the round of 16 of the Italian Open for the first time. The Spaniard was playing his second match since recovering from hamstring and groin injuries. Alcaraz's victory has set up an encounter with Russia's Karen Khachanov, who earlier beat home favourite Francesco Passaro 6-3 6-0.

Alcaraz

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Carlos Alcaraz overcame a "tough" first set to beat Laslo Djere 7-6(2) 6-2 and reach the round of 16 of the Italian Open for the first time.

World No. 3 Alcaraz recovered from being down a break twice to take a tight first set in a tie-break.

The Spaniard breezed through the second set against a frustrated Djere, who appeared to be nursing an injury to his forearm for much of the encounter.

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"It was a really tough beginning, honestly, to find a good rhythm, to find the good path in the match," said Alcaraz via ATP. "He played really solid in the first set.

"I didn’t find the way to [stop him], that’s how tough it was at the beginning. He was serving for the first set and I just thought that I had to stay there, mentally strong, and wait for my chances. I was just happy to get the first set.

"In the second set I think I was playing better. He made a few mistakes that I tried to make the most of, and I am really happy."

Alcaraz prioritising his ‘health’ as he opens up on ‘demanding’ schedule

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Alcaraz was given a bye in the first round as a leading seed, before dispatching Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic in straight sets and beating his compatriot Djere in the third round.

Next up for the 22-year-old is an encounter with Russia's Karen Khachanov, who beat home favourite Francesco Passaro 6-3 6-0.

There has been uncertainty regarding Alcaraz’s condition ahead of the French Open later this month, after the Spaniard pulled out of April’s Madrid Open with hamstring and groin injuries.

While Alcaraz looks to have returned to fitness in time to defend his men's singles title at the Roland-Garros in Paris, he admitted that he was nursing a cold during his match with Djere.

"Once I’m on the court, I try not to think about those things," he said, via Tennis Majors. "But sometimes it’s difficult. So, yes, I’m happy to win in straight sets."

You can watch all the action from the 2025 French Open live in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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