Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
An ominous rumble had Carlos Alcaraz looking at the threatening sky above.
A calm Alcaraz responded to unsettling sky with force of nature ferocity.
Alcaraz broke in the final game out-dueling Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to reach his maiden Rome quarterfinal today.
"I had to run a lot. I had to fight every ball," Alcaraz told the media in Rome. "Khachanov level in the match, it is insane. It is really, really high. He push you to the limit in every point. To be present…
" I have to be present. I had to wait for my chances. That made me run a lot. I had to fight a lot."
It was Alcaraz’s 24th victory in his last 26 clay-court matches.
It’s a milestone moment for the 22-year-old Spaniard.
Reigning Roland Garros champion Alcaraz has now reached quarterfinals or better at all four Grand Slams and all ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
The third-seeded Alcaraz more than doubled Khachanov’s winner total—41 to 18—improving to 5-0 lifetime against the former world No. 8.
The major mission continues for Alcaraz, who is intent on securing the No. 2 seed—and a spot in the French Open draw opposite No. 1 Jannik Sinner—by reaching the Rome semifinal.
It won’t be easy.
Monte-Carlo champion Alcaraz must defeat Indian Wells champion Jack Draper in the quarterfinals to secure that semifinal spot and No. 2 seed for Roland Garros.
Earlier, Draper staged a strong rally knocking off Frenchman Corentin Moutet 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an all-lefty battle.
Madrid finalist Draper advanced to his third Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season setting up an intriguing clash vs. Alcaraz.
Alcaraz has won three of five meetings vs Draper, including a 7-5, 6-1, retired win in the Australian Open round of 16 in January. Draper drilled Alcaraz 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 en route to his maiden Masters 1000 championship at Indian Wells.
Today, Alcaraz got off to a slow start. Khachanov broke to open the match moving out to a 3-1 lead.
Finding his range and rhythm, Alcaraz roared through five games in a row seizing a one-set lead.
It was Alcaraz’s 10th consecutive set won against Khachanov, but did not deter the 6’6” Russian who converted his third break point for a 5-3 second-set lead. Khachanov closed the set on his third set point.
Hammering some heavy forehands, Alcaraz made his move early in the decider.
Khachanov fought off triple break point to draw even at deuce. Two points later the Russian crashed a forehand down the line off the top of the tape that plopped wide as Alcaraz scored the crucial break for 3-1.
The bearded big man was not done. Khachanov cracked successive massive forehand winners for a break point in the seventh game. Running Alcaraz right, Khachanov banged a backhand crosscourt breaking back with a shout for 3-4.
A committed Khachanov slid a backhand down the line to level at 4-all after two hours, 11 minutes of play.
Deadlocked at 30-all in the 11th game, Alcaraz successfully deployed the serve-and-volley causing errant return. A biting body serve helped Alcaraz hold for 6-5 with a clenched fist.
Moving the Moscow native side-to-side, Alcaraz whipped a forehand strike down the line. His 41st winner put the Spaniard up 15-30 before Alcaraz delved into the drop shot-lob combination for double match point.
On his second match point, Alcaraz drew a netted backhand to close in two hours, 28 minutes with his fifth break of the day.