In a gripping display of resilience and skill, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and third seed, powered through a challenging match to defeat Serbia’s Laslo Djere 7-6(2), 6-2 in the third round of the 2025 Italian Open on May 11 at Rome’s Foro Italico. The straight-sets victory, which marked Alcaraz’s first-ever advancement to the round of 16 at this prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event, underscored his growing dominance on clay and his unwavering determination despite recent health setbacks. The 22-year-old Spaniard’s performance, a blend of tactical brilliance and mental fortitude, sets the stage for an exciting clash against Russia’s Karen Khachanov as he continues his quest for a maiden Rome title and builds momentum for his French Open title defense.
The match began with Alcaraz struggling to find his rhythm against a formidable Djere, a clay-court specialist who had claimed the Chile Open title earlier in 2025. Djere, ranked No. 64, unleashed a barrage of forehand winners to surge to a 3-1 lead, capitalizing on Alcaraz’s early inconsistencies, which included 24 unforced errors across the match. “It was a really tough beginning, honestly, to find a good rhythm, to find the good path in the match,” Alcaraz admitted post-match. Djere’s aggressive play pushed him to the brink of taking the first set, as he served for it at 5-4. However, Alcaraz, showcasing the mental strength that has defined his four Grand Slam triumphs, clawed back, breaking Djere’s serve and forcing a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Alcaraz elevated his game, dominating 7-2 to secure the set and shift the momentum.
The second set saw Alcaraz take control as Djere’s performance was hampered by a recurring right arm injury, which required physio intervention. Alcaraz capitalized, breaking Djere’s serve twice early and cruising to a 6-2 victory in just under one hour and 44 minutes. “In the second set, I think I was playing better. He made a few mistakes that I tried to make the most of, and I am really happy,” Alcaraz reflected. His ability to convert four of nine break points and win 32 of 72 return points highlighted his adaptability, especially under pressure. Despite battling a cold and wearing a nasal strip, as he had in his previous 6-3, 6-3 win over Dusan Lajovic, Alcaraz remained focused. “I was trying to come back from the injury as good as I can and then I got a cold,” he said. “But once you are on the court, you try not to think about those things and just keep going.”
Alcaraz’s journey in Rome has been a testament to his resilience. After missing the Madrid Open due to adductor and thigh injuries sustained during the Barcelona Open final, he returned with a precautionary knee wrap and a renewed hunger. His 2025 clay season has been stellar, with a 10-1 record, including a Monte-Carlo Masters title and a Barcelona final appearance, where he previously defeated Djere 6-2, 6-4 in April. The win over Djere extends Alcaraz’s perfect 2-0 head-to-head record against the Serbian, both on clay, and brings his season tally to a tour-leading 26 wins. “I had to stay mentally strong and wait for my chances,” Alcaraz noted, emphasizing his strategic patience against Djere’s early onslaught.
Djere, despite the loss, showed flashes of brilliance, having arrived in Rome on the back of straight-sets victories over Tomas Martin Etcheverry (6-3, 6-2) and Alex Michelsen (6-0, 6-3). His 17-4 clay record in 2025 and a career-high of three ATP titles underscored his threat, but the arm issue proved a significant hindrance. Alcaraz, meanwhile, continues to chase history, aiming to become the first player to reach the quarter-finals at all nine Masters 1000 events, a milestone within reach with a win over Khachanov, whom he leads 4-0 in their head-to-head.
The Rome crowd, energized by Alcaraz’s flair and relentless energy, witnessed a match that highlighted his clay-court prowess, with an 82.7% win rate on the surface since 1990, trailing only Rafael Nadal. As he prepares for his next challenge on May 13, Alcaraz remains optimistic. “The body is feeling great,” he said, referencing his recovery from injury. With Jannik Sinner’s return adding intrigue to the tournament, Alcaraz’s path to a potential final is fraught with challenges, but his performance against Djere signals a player peaking at the right time. As Rome buzzes with anticipation, Alcaraz’s quest for glory promises to captivate tennis fans worldwide.[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-djere-rome-2025-sunday)[](https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/rome-masters-alcaraz-will-play-the-last-16-for-the-first-time-821050.html)
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