Carlos Alcaraz Admits He Struggled to Find Rhythm During 3rd-Round Clash in Rome

World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz secured a berth in the fourth round of the Italian Open for the first time in his career.

Carlos Alcaraz Admits He Struggled to Find Rhythm During 3rd-Round Clash in Rome

Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram/Carlos Alcaraz)

Carlos Alcaraz was seen struggling to find his rhythm early during his third-round match against Serbia’s Laslo Djere at the Italian Open on Sunday night. The match, which lasted for an hour and 43 minutes, saw Alcaraz secure a berth in the fourth round of the event for the first time in his career.

In the first set, Alcaraz had to toil hard, for it was stretched into a tie-breaker. The second set was contrasting as Alcaraz upped his level, not letting the 29-year-old win more than two games, eventually winning the game with a 7-6(2), 6-2 scoreline.

It was a very tough start to the match, to be honest. I had to find a good rhythm to get into the match because he played very solidly in the first set. I couldn’t find a way to hurt him, and when he was serving to win the first set, I thought I had to stay focused on being mentally strong and wait for my chances, which were going to come.

Carlos Alcaraz said during his on-court interview

Alcaraz improved his head-to-head record against the World No.64 to 3-0. It was also his first win over the three-time ATP singles title winner this season, as before the Italian Masters 1000, they met in the fourth round of the Barcelona Open.

Carlos Alcaraz is playing the Italian Open by wearing a nasal strip

Carlos Alcaraz suffered a hamstring injury during the Barcelona Open final against Holger Rune, who ended the ATP 500 event in the Spanish capital in his favor. Following the tournament, Alcaraz pulled out of the Madrid Open, and at first, uncertainty lingered over his participation at the Italian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Carlos Alcaraz Daily)
Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Carlos Alcaraz Daily)

During his Italian Open campaign, Alcaraz is wearing a nasal strip to aid his breathing. The reason is that he got cold before the tournament.

I was trying to come back from the injury as good as I can and then I got a cold. But once you are on the court you try not to think about those things and just keep going. Sometimes it is difficult, but it’s great having matches in straight sets to save energy for the next matches.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

This is not the first time Alcaraz used a nasal strip during his matches. During the 2024 ATP Finals and this year’s Rotterdam Open, he had used the strip to fight respiratory problems.

Carlos Alcaraz will meet Karen Khachanov in the Italian Open fourth round

Alcaraz has set up a fourth-round clash with Karen Khachanov, who went past Francesco Passaro in straight sets. The four-time Grand Slam champion will be meeting the Russian ace for the fifth time in his career.

Carlos Alcaraz Barcelona Open 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram/ Carlos Alcaraz)

In their previous four encounters, the World No.24 failed to secure a win. The upcoming clash will be their first meeting since the quarterfinal of last year’s Beijing Open. If the World No.3 beats the 28-year-old, he will reach the quarterfinal of every nine Masters 1000 events.

Khachanov has not yet won a title this season. Alcaraz, on the other hand, is chasing his third title of the season as prior to the Masters 1000 tournament in the Italian capital, he lifted the Rotterdam Open and the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time in his career.

If Alcaraz reaches the quarterfinal, he could meet Jack Draper, who is aiming to reach his third Masters 1000 final this season following Indian Wells and the Madrid Open. In the semifinal, the Spaniard could run into Alexander Zverev, while in the final, he could set up a blockbuster clash with Jannik Sinner.

Also read: “It’s a Rough Road,” Marta Kostyuk Consoles Alexandra Eala After Beating the 19-Year-Old in Rome’s Opening Match