Carlos Alcaraz returns with dominating win in Rome after injury layoff
Carlos Alcaraz made a strong comeback after beating Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in the Round of 64 at the Italian Open 2025. On Friday, May 9, Alcaraz took an hour and 22 minutes to win the match 6-3, 6-3 on Centre Court. The Spaniard, who will defend his French Open title later this month, had missed the Madrid Open earlier due to hamstring and groin injuries.advertisementThe 22-year-old Alcaraz started brilliantly in the opening set, going 5-1 up with a double break. Although Lajovic earned one of the breaks back, Alcaraz broke him for the third time to close the set out in 43 minutes.In the second set, Alcaraz went 2-0 up with a service break, after which he didn't look back. On returning after an injury layoff, Alcaraz said that he felt comfortable while moving around the court.Alcaraz beats Lajovic 6-3 6-3 in RomeCarlos gets his 2nd win in Rome.Great to see him back from injury after missing Madrid.He was playing some special tennis in Monte Carlo.Looks like he's getting right back to it.Won 10 of last 11 matchespic.twitter.com/yEgTku3CwN— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 9, 2025'Good day at the office'
'The body is feeling great. After today's match, I think I moved well. I made a few good sprints today without any pain. It was great. It was a treat for me. I think I passed the test,' Alcaraz said in the on-court interview after the match.advertisement'Trying to feel more comfortable on the court, moving without thinking about the injury. I think today was a really good day at the office. Hopefully tomorrow and Sunday is going to be better,' Alcaraz added.Alcaraz made 24 unforced errors, but made amends with 24 winners, 13 more than his Serbian opponent. Having won 10 out of his last 11 matches, Alcaraz has looked in pretty good shape before the clay-court major at Roland Garros.He will next be up against the winner of the match between Alex Michelsen of the United States and Laslo Djere of Serbia.Must Watch
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Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Djokovic unsure if he will ever play again at the French Open after semifinal loss
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Hindustan Times
38 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Tennis-Ruthless Sinner downs Djokovic to reach maiden French Open final
PARIS, - World number one Jannik Sinner defeated record-chasing Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6 in a clash of generations on Friday to set up a blockbuster French Open final showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Playing a younger, modern version of himself, the 38-year-old Djokovic looked every bit his age for a while on Court Philippe Chatrier as Sinner used his blistering forehand to send the Serbian chasing the ball left, right and centre. But the former world number one, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, showed he thrived on the grandest stage and threatened a comeback only to miss three set points in the third. The Italian, who recently came back from a doping ban, stood firm in the tiebreak and wrapped up the contest on his second match point to reach his maiden Roland Garros final. Calling Djokovic the greatest player of all time, Sinner said: "It was such a special occasion for me playing Novak in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam and I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. "He's such a role model for us young players. I tried to not think about this but before going on court you feel the tension and what's coming against you." Sinner will face a sterner test in Sunday's final against Alcaraz, who advanced when his semi-final opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired injured at the beginning of the fourth set. With Aryna Sabalenka playing Coco Gauff in the women's final on Saturday, it will be the first time that the top two ranked players will face off in both singles finals at Roland Garros since 1984. There were flashes of the vintage Djokovic in the evening match as the Serbian came out on top on some lung-busting rallies. 27-MATCH WINNING STREAK But a stone-faced Sinner was just too good, frolicking on court while Djokovic huffed, puffed and grunted in his pursuit of another major title, one that would finally lift him ahead of Margaret Court on top of the all-time Grand Slam leaderboard. Djokovic entered the contest riding on a 27-match winning streak in Paris, having claimed the 2023 French Open, the 2023 Paris Masters, the 2024 Paris Olympics gold and a Roland Garros run last year that was abandoned after he suffered a knee injury during his fourth round win. Sinner, however, was unimpressed — brimming with confidence after capturing the last two majors at the 2024 U.S. Open and this year's Australian Open, and determined to reach his first French Open final. Djokovic tried to mix things up with drop shots in an attempt to shorten the rallies, but Sinner was relentless. Despite a modest first-serve percentage, the 23-year-old Italian dropped only three points on serve in the opening set, leaving Djokovic with a mountain to climb. The Serbian came out fighting in the second set, winning a spectacular rally that ended with a pinball exchange at the net. But after a draining 26-shot rally, Djokovic was left gasping for air, hands on knees, as Sinner held for 1-1. Djokovic threw everything he had into that second set, but cracked when Sinner broke for 4-3 on his second opportunity. The Serbian, though, mustered a fightback, carving out his first two break points against Sinner since 2023 and levelling for 4-4 to the delight of a raucous Chatrier crowd. Sinner, unshaken, broke again for 6-5 and coolly served out the set to take a commanding two-sets-to-love lead. In the third, Sinner threw Djokovic a lifeline as errors crept up in his game and the former world number had three set points on the Italian's serve, which he coolly saved. Djokovic looked deflated in the tiebreak and touched the clay before crossing himself on his way out of the arena.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic to advance to Roland Garros final
Sinner overcomes Djokovic in straight sets at French Open 2025 Jannik Sinner secured a straight-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the men's singles semifinal at Roland Garros, winning 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3). The match was played on Court Philippe-Chatrier, and marked Sinner's first-ever advancement to a French Open final . With the win, Sinner becomes the first Italian man to reach the Roland Garros final since Adriano Panatta in 1976. Sinner dominated the baseline exchanges and returned aggressively throughout the match. He converted three of nine break points, while Djokovic capitalized on only one of six chances. Sinner also won the only tiebreak of the match in the third set, closing it out 7-6(3) to complete the win in straight sets. Also read: Alcaraz reaches French Open final, Sinner to face Djokovic by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The match featured a high level of play from both athletes. Sinner struck 10 aces compared to Djokovic's four, and committed just one double fault. Djokovic matched that with one double fault of his own but was less successful on first serve, winning 67 per cent of points compared to Sinner's 79 per cent. Superior first serve and break point conversion key for Sinner Jannik Sinner's first serve percentage was notably lower at 51 per cent, but his efficiency when landing the first serve was critical. He won 79 per cent of those points and followed up with a strong 64 per cent success rate on his second serve. Djokovic, despite a 71 per cent first serve rate, trailed with 67 per cent and 59 per cent on first and second serve points won, respectively. Live Events Sinner won a total of 120 points to Djokovic's 105 and took 20 games overall to Djokovic's 15. The Italian claimed 16 service games, compared to 14 for the Serbian. Sinner also won 41 receiving points, creating consistent pressure during Djokovic's service games. Momentum shifted in key stretches. Sinner had a maximum streak of three consecutive games won and eight consecutive points, compared to Djokovic's two games and five points in a row. Sinner's superior play in clutch moments, especially during the third-set tiebreak, helped seal the result. Also read: Alexander Zverev set to face Novak Djokovic in Roland Garros quarterfinal clash The win improves Sinner's Grand Slam record against top-ranked opponents and solidifies his status as a rising contender in men's tennis . He will now await the winner of the second semifinal for the title clash on Sunday, June 8.
