Alcaraz makes winning return to reach Argentina quarters
Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to tennis after a four-month injury absence on Wednesday, defeating Serbia’s Laslo Djere to advance to the quarter-finals of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.
During a two-hour match on the Court Guillermo Vilas, the 19-year-old Spaniard showed signs of ring rust before defeating Djere, the world number 57, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
Alcaraz, who is currently ranked second in the world and will face another Serb, Dusan Lajovic, in the last eight, expressed his relief following his victory as his first since 2023.
The current US Open champion said, “It’s a great feeling to win again.”
“It’s been a long time since I competed or competed in a match; I’ve been recovering; finally, I got my first victory of 2023.”
I’m extremely content. The great atmosphere behind me surprised me. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to all of the fans present, and I hope I can maintain this level of enthusiasm.
Alcaraz had not played since tearing a muscle in his leg at the Paris Masters in November, preventing him from competing in the Australian Open and the beginning of the 2023 season.
He started off well against Djere, winning the first set quickly, but he didn’t take advantage of multiple chances to break him in the second set.
Djere, on the other hand, capitalized on Alcaraz’s inconsistent play to level the match and advance to the third set.
However, Alcaraz came back strong, breaking in the first game and again to take a 5-2 lead before serving out for the match.
His opponent in the quarterfinals, Lajovic, beat Argentine Camilo Ugo 6-3, 6-1 earlier on Wednesday to reach the last eight.
On the other side of the draw, British second seed Cameron Norrie defeated Argentine Facundo Diaz 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 to advance to the quarterfinals.
After the Argentinian defeated the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena by scores of 4-6, 6-1, and 6-2, Norrie will face Tomas Etcheverry in the quarterfinals.
