On May 11, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s No. 3 tennis prodigy, electrified the Foro Italico in Rome with a commanding performance at the Italian Open, defeating Serbia’s Laslo Djere 7-6(2), 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his unparalleled clay court prowess, extending his season record on the surface to an astonishing 11 wins and just one loss. As he prepares to defend his French Open title later this month, Alcaraz’s latest triumph underscores his status as a formidable force in tennis, blending resilience, precision, and raw talent in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The third-round clash began with an unexpected challenge for Alcaraz, who faced early pressure from Djere, a seasoned clay court specialist with a title in Chile earlier this year. The Serbian, ranked No. 49, seized a 3-1 lead in the first set, capitalizing on an early break and unleashing a barrage of forehand winners. Alcaraz, still shaking off the rust from a recent adductor injury that sidelined him for the Madrid Open, appeared momentarily unsettled, struggling with consistency in his groundstrokes. “I was trying to come back from the injury as good as I can and then I got a cold,” Alcaraz admitted, acknowledging the physical hurdles he’s overcome, including wearing a nasal strip during the match. Yet, his trademark tenacity shone through as he clawed back, leveling the score at 3-3 and forcing a tiebreak. In a display of sheer brilliance, Alcaraz elevated his game, producing a stunning forehand slice winner from a near-impossible position to secure the set 7-6(2).
The momentum shifted decisively in the second set, where Alcaraz asserted his dominance. Djere, visibly hampered by a lower right arm issue that required physio treatment, struggled to maintain his earlier intensity. Alcaraz capitalized, securing two consecutive breaks to race to a 4-0 lead. Despite Djere’s valiant efforts to rally, including a pair of break point opportunities at 1-4, Alcaraz remained composed, closing out the set 6-2 in just 44 minutes. “The body felt great,” Alcaraz had said after his earlier win over Dusan Lajovic, and his movement in Rome—highlighted by sharp sprints and 20 winners against Djere—proved he’s back to his explosive best. The victory, which lasted one hour and 44 minutes, marked Alcaraz’s 26th win of the season, the most on the ATP Tour.
This match was a significant milestone for Alcaraz, who had never progressed beyond the third round in Rome. His previous encounters with Djere, including a 6-2, 6-4 win at the Barcelona Open in April 2025, gave him a 3-0 head-to-head edge, all on clay. Djere, despite his 17-4 clay record this season, couldn’t overcome Alcaraz’s relentless pressure and superior court coverage. The Serbian’s aggressive approach, evident in his straight-set thrashings of Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Alex Michelsen earlier in the tournament, faltered against Alcaraz’s defensive mastery and powerful forehand.
Alcaraz’s Rome campaign is a critical step in his French Open preparations, where he aims to cement his legacy as a clay court titan. His 2024 Roland Garros title and April’s Monte-Carlo Masters victory highlight his 82.7% win rate on clay since 1990, second only to Rafael Nadal. Now, he faces 23rd seed Karen Khachanov in the fourth round, a player he leads 4-0 in their head-to-head. “It’s not often that Tsitsipas starts a match on clay as an underdog,” noted one observer, underscoring the daunting challenge Alcaraz poses on this surface.
The Italian Open also marks a pivotal moment for Alcaraz amid a competitive field. With Jannik Sinner’s return from a doping ban and Alexander Zverev’s resurgence, Rome is a battleground for ATP supremacy. Alcaraz, first in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, is driven to maintain his edge. His performance against Djere, though not flawless, showed his ability to adapt under pressure, a trait that will serve him well in Paris. As he continues his quest for a first Rome title, Alcaraz’s blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned resolve captivates fans, signaling that his reign on clay is far from over.
# Carlos Alcaraz’s Clay Court Mastery Shines in Rome with Thrilling Victory Over Laslo Djere
On May 11, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s No. 3 tennis prodigy, electrified the Foro Italico in Rome with a commanding performance at the Italian Open, defeating Serbia’s Laslo Djere 7-6(2), 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his unparalleled clay court prowess, extending his season Polityrecord on the surface to an astonishing 11 wins and just one loss. As he prepares to defend his French Open title later this month, Alcaraz’s latest triumph underscores his status as a formidable force in tennis, blending resilience, precision, and raw talent in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
## A Rocky Start, A Resilient Recovery
The third-round clash began with an unexpected challenge for Alcaraz, who faced early pressure from Djere, a seasoned clay court specialist with a title in Chile earlier this year. The Serbian, ranked No. 49, seized a 3-1 lead in the first set, capitalizing on an early break and unleashing a barrage of forehand winners. Alcaraz, still shaking off the rust from a recent adductor injury that sidelined him for the Madrid Open, appeared momentarily unsettled, struggling with consistency in his groundstrokes. “I was trying to come back from the injury as good as I can and then I got a cold,” Alcaraz admitted, acknowledging the physical hurdles he’s overcome, including wearing a nasal strip during the match. Yet, his trademark tenacity shone through as he clawed back, leveling the score at 3-3 and forcing a tiebreak. In a display of sheer brilliance, Alcaraz elevated his game, producing a stunning forehand slice winner from a near-impossible position to secure the set 7-6(2).
## Dominance in the Second Set
The momentum shifted decisively in the second set, where Alcaraz asserted his dominance. Djere, visibly hampered by a lower right arm issue that required physio treatment, struggled to maintain his earlier intensity. Alcaraz capitalized, securing two consecutive breaks to race to a 4-0 lead. Despite Djere’s valiant efforts to rally, including a pair of break point opportunities at 1-4, Alcaraz remained composed, closing out the set 6-2 in just 44 minutes. “The body felt great,” Alcaraz had said after his earlier win over Dusan Lajovic, and his movement in Rome—highlighted by sharp sprints and 20 winners against Djere—proved he’s back to his explosive best. The victory, which lasted one hour and 44 minutes, marked Alcaraz’s 26th win of the season, the most on the ATP Tour.
## A Milestone in Rome
This match was a significant milestone for Alcaraz, who had never progressed beyond the third round in Rome. His previous encounters with Djere, including a 6-2, 6-4 win at the Barcelona Open in April 2025, gave him a 3-0 head-to-head edge, all on clay. Djere, despite his 17-4 clay record this season, couldn’t overcome Alcaraz’s relentless pressure and superior court coverage. The Serbian’s aggressive approach, evident in his straight-set thrashings of Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Alex Michelsen earlier in the tournament, faltered against Alcaraz’s defensive mastery and powerful forehand.
## Eyes on the French Open
Alcaraz’s Rome campaign is a critical step in his French Open preparations, where he aims to cement his legacy as a clay court titan. His 2024 Roland Garros title and April’s Monte-Carlo Masters victory highlight his 82.7% win rate on clay since 1990, second only to Rafael Nadal. Now, he faces 23rd seed Karen Khachanov in the fourth round, a player he leads 4-0 in their head-to-head. “It’s not often that Tsitsipas starts a match on clay as an underdog,” noted one observer, underscoring the daunting challenge Alcaraz poses on this surface.
## A Competitive Field
The Italian Open also marks a pivotal moment for Alcaraz amid a competitive field. With Jannik Sinner’s return from a doping ban and Alexander Zverev’s resurgence, Rome is a battleground for ATP supremacy. Alcaraz, first in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, is driven to maintain his edge. His performance against Djere, though not flawless, showed his ability to adapt under pressure, a trait that will serve him well in Paris. As he continues his quest for a first Rome title, Alcaraz’s blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned resolve captivates fans, signaling that his reign on clay is far from over.
**Summary and Context**: This rewritten article expands on Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Laslo Djere at the 2025 Italian Open, integrating quotes from Alcaraz to maintain authenticity and depth. The narrative highlights his recovery from injury, the match’s dramatic turning points, and its significance in his career and French Open preparations. The markdown artifact ensures a structured, engaging read, offering a comprehensive look at Alcaraz’s clay court dominance and his rising legacy in tennis.[](https://motociclismo.pt/en/carlos-alcarazs-sensational-clay-court-triumph-shocks-rome-open-defeats-djere-in-thrilling-showdown/)[](https://tennisuptodate.com/atp/carlos-alcarazs-clay-court-dominance-continues-with-victory-over-laslo-djere-in-rome)[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-djere-rome-2025-sunday)
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