Alcaraz Returns with Victory at the Italian Open
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz has returned to competition with a solid victory at the Italian Open. After overcoming a brief injury, Alcaraz defeated Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic with a score of 6-3 and 6-3.
Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open last month due to an injury to his upper right leg, which also affected him during the Barcelona Open final. In addition, he also suffered an injury to his left leg.
During the match against Lajovic, Alcaraz wore a long black protection that covered the upper part of his right leg, extending to the knee.
Alcaraz dominated the start of the first set, winning the first four games. Although he lost his serve in the attempt to close the set with a 5-2 lead, the Spaniard reacted immediately, breaking back in the next game and securing the set. He demonstrated his speed on the clay court of the Foro Italico, standing out with a great recovery and a winning backhand.
In the second set, Alcaraz took the lead from the beginning and sealed the victory.
With this victory, Alcaraz, champion of the Monte Carlo Masters in April, improves his record on clay this season to 10-1. In the next round, he will face the winner of the match between Alex Michelsen and Laslo Djere.
Alcaraz, four-time Grand Slam champion, is preparing to defend his title at the French Open, which will begin on May 25.
The Rome tournament also marks the return of Jannik Sinner, world number one, after a three-month suspension. Sinner will debut against Mariano Navone on Saturday.
Sinner and Alcaraz are on opposite sides of the bracket.
In the women’s tournament, Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, began her participation with a 6-2 and 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova.
