|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open on Tuesday after a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Karen Khachanov, keeping his hopes alive for a first-ever Rome title.
The third-seeded Spaniard, who had not dropped a set in four previous meetings with Khachanov, was pushed to the limit on Centre Court at Foro Italico.
Alcaraz, chasing his third title of the season, needs a semi-final finish in Rome to secure a top-two seeding at the upcoming French Open, which begins later this month.
Read Also: Who is Carlos Alcaraz: From five-set thriller win over world number one to first French Grand Slam?
“It was tiring. You know, the match was really tough. I had to run a lot,” said Alcaraz after the match.
“I didn’t play well. I just fought, and I’m really happy about it.”
The 21-year-old looked in control early on, winning six straight games to claim the first set and the opening game of the second. But Khachanov responded with renewed energy, breaking back after falling behind in the second set to level the match.
The 28-year-old Russian then mounted a spirited comeback in the decider, winning three consecutive games to tie the set at 4-4 after trailing 4-1. However, Alcaraz held his nerve to close out the match on his second attempt, claiming his 12th clay-court win of the season.
Next up for Alcaraz is a quarter-final showdown with fifth seed Jack Draper, who defeated France’s Corentin Moutet earlier in the day.
