Karen Khachanov is considered a favorite opponent of Carlos Alcaraz. In the last 4 encounters, the Spanish tennis player had a record to win against the opponent. He has not even lost any set.
However, in the fourth round of Rome Masters, Khachanov had a makeover and caused many difficulties for Alcaraz. Entering Set 1, the Russian tennis player suddenly broke the first game of the opponent. However, he did not keep the advantage until the end of the set.
At this time, Alcaraz has found a way to neutralize the shots of Khachanov. He reversed the flag when he won 2 breaks in games 6 and 8. Set 1 closed with a 6-3 victory in favor of the No. 3 seed.
Sang Set 2, Alcaraz with psychological advantage had a dream start. He won the break in advance in game 5 and took 3-2. This is also the time when Khachanov gives the audience at the Campo Centere surprise a second time.
Accordingly, the Russian tennis player quickly reclaimed the break in game 6 to equalize 3-3. When he came to Game 8, he won the break for the second time and closed set 2 with a 6-3 victory. This is also the first time this player won a set against Alcaraz after 4 encounters.
Sang Set 3, Khachanov continued to play resiliently. After losing the previous break in game 4, the Russian player won 3 consecutive games to equalize 4-4 in Game 8. However, to Game 12, Alcaraz has shown the bravery to win the break, thereby winning dramatic 7-5.
With this result, Alcaraz has officially put his name in the quarterfinals of Rome Masters this year. Notably, his next opponent is a player who is in very high form this season – Jack Draper. The British player had previously defeated Corentin Moutet with a score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
