Carlos Alcaraz secured a place in the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 win over Laslo Djere, joining defending champion Alexander Zverev in the next round of the tournament in Rome.
This marks the first time Alcaraz has reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico. He had to work hard against a determined Djere, who has won all three of his career titles on clay, most recently at the Chile Open in March. Despite being broken twice in the first set, Alcaraz gained momentum in the tie-break and maintained dominance in the second.
“I just thought that I had to stay there mentally strong, waiting for my chances because I was playing great,” said Alcaraz. “I was playing great, moving, hitting the ball. It was just a few mistakes that I made.”
Next up for Alcaraz is a clash with Karen Khachanov, who comfortably dispatched Italian wild card Francesco Passaro 6-3, 6-0.
Zverev, meanwhile, breezed through his encounter with Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. The world number two is aiming to retain his Rome title and build momentum ahead of the French Open. He will next face Arthur Fils, who stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
French players also made headlines as Corentin Moutet shocked Holger Rune in a thrilling three-set battle, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), earning his first career win over a top-10 opponent. Moutet will now face fifth seed Jack Draper.
Daniil Medvedev also made quick work of his match, defeating Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-1, setting up a meeting with Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka survived a shaky start against Sofia Kenin to claim a 6-1, 6-4 win. She now faces Marta Kostyuk, who eliminated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2. Despite an inconsistent performance and visible frustration with the court conditions, Sabalenka pulled through.
“I was completely off, and I’m really glad I was able to cool myself down and… start focusing on the game and the right things,” Sabalenka said afterward.
Sabalenka is seen as a strong contender for the title, especially after three-time champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out by Danielle Collins.
“She’s facing really tough challenges I believe, on and off the court,” Sabalenka said of Swiatek. “Maybe needs some time off and then she’s going to get back on top of her game because the level is there. She’s a champion.”
Another major name in the women’s draw, Coco Gauff, cruised past Magda Linette 7-5, 6-3 and will face Emma Raducanu in her next match.
What you should know
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka each progressed to the last 16 of the Italian Open after hard-fought matches, while Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff also booked their spots in the next round as the competition intensifies in Rome.
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