World Number One Carlos Alcaraz Knocked Out of Italian Open

Carlo Alcaraz’s 12-match successful streak got here to an surprising finish when he was overwhelmed by One hundred and thirty fifth-ranked Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 7-6 (4) Monday within the third spherical of the Italian Open.

Alcaraz had received consecutive clay-court titles in Barcelona and Madrid and secured a return to the No. 1 rating by successful the opening match of his Rome debut. But the 20-year-old Spaniard appeared stunned by how Marozsan dictated with spectacular play all around the court docket, together with a collection of drop photographs that Alcaraz had no reply for.

“It was my dream last night. And now it’s true” Marozsan stated. “I just try to do something special or winning a few games or maybe a set or something like this, and I just beat the world No. 1 — he’s our best in the sport.”

The consequence signifies that Alcaraz will go into the French Open — which begins in lower than two weeks and the place he would be the high seed — coming off a dispiriting defeat.

It was solely the second loss on clay for Alcaraz this yr after getting overwhelmed by Cameron Norrie within the Rio de Janeiro ultimate in February.

Making issues much more stunning was that that is the primary time Marozsan is enjoying in the primary draw of an ATP event — and the match passed off earlier than a full stadium on Campo Centrale.

“Everything was perfect today: the crowd, the weather, the court,” Marozsan stated.

Alcaraz established a 4-1 lead within the tiebreaker however then Marozsan received six straight factors to shut it out.

“It’s amazing. I don’t know what happened during the points,” Marozsan said. “I just try to hit back every ball and try to do my best.”

Late in the second set, Alcaraz started yelling “Vamos” every time he won a significant point. But Marozsan just kept coming, unleashing an 82 mph (132 kph) backhand winner up the line to conclude one point and winning several close exchanges at the net.

By the end, Marozan had compiled twice as many winners as Alcaraz, 24 to 12, and far fewer unforced errors, 13 to 24.

Marozsan will next face Borna Coric, who continued his solid form on clay by beating Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 (3), 6-1. At the Madrid Open last week, Coric reached the semifinals before losing to Alcaraz.

Also, German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann defeated former French Open semifinalist Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

In women’s action, Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine rallied past 2016 runner-up Madison Keys 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals and 22nd-seeded Zheng Quinwen beat fellow Chinese player Wang Xiyu 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 on the picturesque Pietrangeli court.

Later, two-time defending champion Iga Swiatek was facing Donna Vekic.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)