ATP Rome: Dusan Lajovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

ATP Rome: Dusan Lajovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

🧠 Form & Context

Carlos Alcaraz
All eyes are on the Spaniard’s fitness. After withdrawing from Madrid with a leg injury picked up in Barcelona, Alcaraz’s physical condition remains a question mark. That said, when healthy, he’s looked untouchable on clay—his Monte Carlo title was another reminder of his dominance on the surface. Surprisingly, Rome hasn’t been kind to him yet, with his last visit ending in a shock loss to Marozsan in 2023. He’ll want to change that narrative quickly.

Dusan Lajovic
The Serbian veteran is putting together a gritty run in Rome—three qualifying wins followed by a solid straight-sets victory over Nishioka in R1. He’s 13–8 on clay this season, but most of those wins have come at Challenger or qualifying level. Against top-tier players, the record is less inspiring, with only three wins in 19 matches against top-5 opponents across his career. Rome has been decent to him, but he's never made it past the third round.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 4–0, and he’s yet to drop a set to Lajovic. Their styles are not compatible for an upset—Lajovic’s high-topspin game gives Alcaraz time to set up and counterpunch, which plays directly into the Spaniard’s strengths. Unless Alcaraz is truly hampered by his leg, Lajovic will struggle to apply meaningful pressure.

This will be a fitness test as much as a match, but unless Alcaraz’s movement is visibly limited, Lajovic doesn't pose the kind of threat that usually troubles the Spanish prodigy.

🔮 Prediction

Even an 85% Alcaraz likely has too much firepower and clay-court IQ for Lajovic. Expect a competitive opening set if the Spaniard is still shaking off rust—but once he finds his rhythm, this should be straightforward.

Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz in 2 sets