By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, Could 13, 2025
Picture credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Rome’s crimson clay is a pivotal platform for Carlos Alcaraz.
When the third-seeded Alcaraz faces fifth-seeded Jack Draper in a blockbuster Rome quarterfinal conflict, the Spanish celebrity might be fueled by two main motivations.
The third-seeded Alcaraz conquered Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to achieve his maiden Rome quarterfinal immediately. Alcaraz accomplished the quarterfinal set reaching quarterfinals or higher in any respect 4 Grand Slams and each ATP Masters 1000 occasion.
Draper defeated Corentin Moutet 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to advance to his third Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the 12 months.
Alcaraz is looking for revenge from his disappointing Indian Wells semifinal loss to Draper and to safe the No. 2 seed for his Roland Garros title protection by reaching the Rome remaining 4.
The pair have break up two conferences this season with Alcaraz successful on the Australian Open the place Draper retired with harm earlier than the left-handed Briton beat the two-time Wimbledon winner in Palm Springs. Alcaraz, who has gained three of their 5 conferences, says he is desirous to enact revenge.
“I am simply prepared. I am simply wanting ahead to enjoying in opposition to him,” Alcaraz mentioned of Draper. “He is among the finest gamers on the planet proper now. The outcomes exhibits how good is enjoying currently.
“Yeah, simply wish to take revenge from Indian Wells. I’ll attempt to be extra prepared than Indian Wells. Goes to be an fascinating match to look at and to play.”
Commanding the middle of the courtroom together with his forehand, Draper performed with extra fireplace and need within the desert in what was his second win over Alcaraz of their final three conferences.
Final June, Draper defeated Alcaraz 7-6(3), 6-3 on the grass of Queen’s Membership. Meaning if Draper downs Alcaraz of their Rome rematch he would personal wins over the four-time Grand Slam champion on all three of the most important surfaces prior to now 11 months.
“Clearly I suppose we’re each within the prime 5 on the planet now. However I see it as simply two guys who’re enjoying nice tennis going on the market and desirous to win and beat one another and be aggressive,” Draper mentioned of going through Alcaraz in Rome. “I’ve massive respect for him. I do know what he will deliver. He’ll be actually powerful to beat.
“I believe we play tomorrow. So clearly there’s a little bit of a change in dynamic. I really feel sturdy and I be ok with the match. I hope that I can deliver some actually good tennis.”
One of many world’s greatest movers on pure surfaces, Alcaraz has gained 24 of his final 26 clay-court matches and carries a 12-1 document in dust this season into the Rome quarterfinals, together with his title run in Monte-Carlo final month.
Whereas Draper’s ferocious forehand has helped him crack the Prime 5, Alcaraz says the US Open semifinalist’s all-court capacity is what makes him most harmful.
“He is actually strong. He is actually strong,” Alcaraz mentioned of Draper. “He is actually passionate. In each level, his pictures are nice, actually aggressively.
“He is attempting to play as aggressive as he can, and that makes him actually, actually powerful. Each level is a battle. Bodily he improved loads. With the serve, with all the things, I imply, he is actually, actually full participant.”
