Alcaraz Set to Clash with Khachanov in Upcoming Round

ROME: At the Italian Open held at Foro Italico, Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious against Laslo Djere, while Aryna Sabalenka overcame Sofia Kenin, both advancing to the Round of 16 on Sunday.

The initial set between Alcaraz and Djere was tightly contested, leading to a tie-break. Djere challenged Alcaraz’s rhythm, ultimately winning the first set 7-6(2).

However, Alcaraz demonstrated resilience, securing a decisive 6-2 victory in the subsequent set.

Following the match, Alcaraz acknowledged the difficulty in establishing his rhythm and commended Djere’s performance.

Alcaraz’s Statement

“The beginning was indeed challenging, as I struggled to find my rhythm and optimal strategy,” the 22-year-old stated.

“Djere’s consistent play in the first set made it difficult for me to counter his moves. I focused on staying mentally resilient and capitalizing on opportunities, which ultimately led to winning the first set.”

In the next round, Alcaraz is scheduled to compete against Russian player Karen Khachanov.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka, a prominent tennis figure, recovered from losing a set to defeat American player Kenin.

Kenin claimed the first set with a score of 6-3, but Sabalenka retaliated by winning the following two sets 6-3, 6-3, asserting her dominance.

Sabalenka is now set to face Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk in the next phase of the competition.