Rome — Carlos AlcarazThe 12-match winning streak came to an unexpected end with a loss to the No. 135-ranked qualifier from Hungary. fabian marozson 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the third round of the Italian Open on Monday.
Alcaraz had won back-to-back clay-court titles in Barcelona and Madrid and returned to the No. 1 ranking by winning the opening match of his Rome debut. But the 20-year-old Spaniard looked unfazed by how Marozson dictated the game with a masterful play all across the court, including a series of drop shots that Alcaraz had no answer for.
Alcaraz said, “I didn’t feel comfortable. He made me feel uncomfortable on the court.” “He was aggressive all the time. He was playing inside the baseline all the time. It was hard for me to get into the match, to rally. I made a lot of mistakes that I usually don’t make too many.”
The result means Alcaraz will go into the French Open – which starts in less than two weeks and where he is the top seed – with a disappointing loss.
It was Alcaraz’s second defeat on clay this year Cameron Norrie In February in Rio de Janeiro final.
What makes the matter even more puzzling is the fact that this is the first time Mrozson is playing in the main draw of an ATP tournament.
Alcaraz said, “He surprised me a lot. His standard was really high.” “I am sure he is going to break the top 100 very soon.”
The match took place at the Campo Central in front of a packed stadium.
Mrozson said, “It was my dream last night. And now it’s true.” “I just try to do something special or win some games or maybe a set or something like that, and I beat the world No. 1 – he’s our best in the game.
“Today everything was perfect: the crowd, the weather, the court,” said Marozsson.
Alcaraz raced to a 4–1 lead in the tiebreaker, but Marozsan then closed it out by winning six straight points.
“It’s amazing. I don’t know what happened during the injury,” Mrozson said. “I just try to hit every ball and try to do my best.”
At the end of the second set, Alcaraz began shouting “Vamos” every time he won a crucial point. But Mrozson just kept coming, hitting an 82 mph backhand winner to end a point and winning several close exchanges at the net.
By the end, Marozson had compiled as many winners as Alcaraz, 24 to 12, and far fewer unforced errors, 13 to 24.
Alcaraz said, “I didn’t play really, really well.” “I could not follow his level. He was at the same level throughout the match. It is very, very difficult. He deserves to win. If he plays at that level, he can beat more than one (players). Surprising.”
Mrojan’s next fight will be Borna Couricwho continued their solid form on the soil Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(3), 6-1. Last week at the Madrid Open, Coric reached the semifinals before losing to Alcaraz.
Plus, Monte Carlo Masters Champion Andrey Rublev Defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (8), 6-3 and will play the next German qualifier Yannick HanfmanWho defeated former French Open semifinalist marco cecchinato 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
in women’s behavior, ahelina kalinina Ukrainian players progress from 2016 runners-up Madison Keys 2–6, 6–2, 6–4 to reach the quarterfinals; veronika kudermetova Beat Marie Buzkova 6-2, 6-2; zheng qinwen beat fellow Chinese player wang ziyu 6-4, 3-6, 6-1; And Beatriz Haddad Maia Colombian qualifiers eliminated camila osorio 6-3, 6-3.
Later, two-time defending champion inga swotek was facing Donna Vekic,
