Carlos Alcaraz recorded his 25th win of the season after beating Dusan Lajovic in the second round of the Italian Open. The Spaniard returned to the tour at the tournament after suffering an injury in Barcelona. He revealed after the victory over the Serbian that he felt a bit congested during the match.
Alcaraz had missed the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid last month due to an abductor injury he suffered during his loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final. The 22-year-old played with a precautionary knee wrap during his opening match against Lajovic. Also, he wore a nasal strip.
It was not the first time he had worn a nasal strip this season. He had worn it throughout the Rotterdam Open and claimed the title with a fantastic display against Alex de Minaur in the final. Against Lajovic, he moved freely on the red dirt and outclassed the Serbian opponent with a combination of his powerful forehand and drop shots.
He won 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 22 minutes. After the match, he revealed that he felt good physically but had to wear a nasal strip to breathe better due to the weather conditions in Rome.
The truth is that today I felt good—my leg, the injury, everything. I think it went pretty well. I moved naturally, had a few good experiences out there, which gives me a lot of confidence for what’s ahead. I’m a bit congested, though, which is why I’m wearing this—to breathe a bit better. I think with the weather changes, the shifts between hot and cold don’t help much, but we’re taking care of it, and overall, today went quite well.
Carlos Alcaraz said via Rome Press
Alcaraz struck 20 winners in the match but also hit 20 unforced errors. He will hope to improve on his performance despite the win, as it was just his first competitive match after suffering an injury last month.
Carlos Alcaraz says he’s confident of playing his best tennis at the Italian Open
Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Dusan Lajovic extends his head-to-head record against the Serbian to 5-0. The World No.3 is seeking his third title of the season at the Italian Open and second on the clay court. During the aforementioned press conference, he revealed that he’s now confident of playing at his best at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
Carlos Alcaraz Barcelona Open 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram/ Carlos Alcaraz)
I’m happy with this first match. The most important thing was to test myself be able to play the way I want and that was what happened. I was able to sprint left and right and feel good. I’m confident for the rest of the week.
Carlos Alcaraz said
Alcaraz has not played at the Italian Open for two years. In fact, his win over Lajovic was his third match at the event. He has the opportunity to rack up a couple of points at the tournament and overtake Alexander Zverev for No.2 in the ATP rankings.
Carlos Alcaraz to face Laslo Djere in the third round in Rome
Carlos Alcaraz will face Laslo Djere in the third round of the Italian Open after the Serbian defeated Estoril champion Alex Michelsen 6-0, 6-3. Alcaraz holds a 2-0 lead over Djere in their head-to-head record and also defeated him in straight sets at the Barcelona Open last month. If the Spaniard beats him in Rome, he’s projected to face Lorenzo Sonego or Karen Khachanov next.
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If the 22-year-old gets past the fourth round, he’s projected to face Jack Draper or Holger Rune in the quarter-finals. Alcaraz has lost to the two players this season in crucial matches. He lost to Draper in the semi-finals of Indian Wells and to Rune in the Barcelona Open final.