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Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the 2025 Italian Open’s quarter-final on May 13, following his victory against Russia’s Karen Khachanov by a margin of 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Third-seeded Alcaraz is chasing his first Rome title. Alcaraz will look to surpass the quarter-final hurdle as the success in the big game will not only solidify his position to win the third title in the season but also help him secure a top-two seeding in the 2025 French Open, which will be held in Paris from May 25 to June 8.
Against his Russian opponent, Alcaraz started the game gradually and dropped serve in the first game. However, the Spaniard held his nerves and levelled the fierce contest. Khachanov kicked off the second set with a love service game and then went on to claim the last four points to make the encounter intriguing. Alcaraz then shattered Khachanov’s confidence in the 12th game. The star Spaniard clinched the win after delivering a forehand which the 28-year-old’s return collided with the net.
Carlos Allcaraz to clash against Jack Draper in the quarter-final clash
The youngsters’ 12th clay-court triumph has set his contest against fifth-seeded Jack Draper in the quarter-final. The Spaniard has an upper hand over the British player as the former has bagged three victories off five encounters. However, Draper will look to gain confidence by looking back at his victory against the Spanish player in India Wells 2025, held in California in March 2025.
This is Alcaraz’s second appearance in the Italian Open. Back in 2024, he registered a loss against then-135th-ranked Hungarian player Fabian Marozsan in the third round. This time, the 22-year-old will look to be disciplined in the remainder of the tournament to taste victory and gain confidence for the marquee 2025 French Open.
