ROME — After a brief hiatus due to injury, Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return, triumphing over Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic with a commanding score of 6-3, 6-3 at the Italian Open on Friday.
The third-ranked Alcaraz had to withdraw from the Madrid Open last month, grappling with an upper right leg issue that flared up during the final in Barcelona, in addition to a left leg injury.
During his match against Lajovic, Alcaraz sported a long black brace that enveloped the upper part of his right leg, extending gracefully just below the knee.
Alcaraz kicked off the duel by winning the first four games, though he faced a hiccup, dropping his serve while serving for the opening set at 5-2. Displaying resilience, he broke back immediately, showcasing his lightning-fast speed on the clay at Foro Italico, where he gracefully retrieved a drop shot and executed a stunning backhand winner on a crucial point.
He continued to dominate in the early games of the second set.
Fresh off his victory at the Monte Carlo Masters in April, Alcaraz’s record on clay this season stands at an impressive 10-1. He’s set to next face either 31st-seeded Alex Michelsen or Laslo Djere.
The four-time Grand Slam champion is gearing up to defend his title at the French Open, kicking off on May 25.
The Rome tournament also marks the return of top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who has been reinstated following a three-month doping suspension.
Sinner and Alcaraz find themselves on opposite sides of the draw.
Sinner is slated to begin his campaign against 99th-ranked Mariano Navone on Saturday.
In the women’s draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka made a strong start, defeating Anastasia Potapova with a score of 6-2, 6-2.
