Carlos Alcaraz, the former World No. 1 and winner of the US Open, is back on the tour and competing at the Argentina Open Buenos Aires this week. Alcaraz’s comeback was successful as he defeated Laslo Djere 6-2 4-6 6-2 early on Thursday morning to advance to a clash with Dusan Lajovic.
In a flash, the 19-year-old had a 3-1 advantage. However, he was unable to prevail in a spectacular second set that featured 15 total break points, none of which were realized before Djere finished out the set on his own. Any disappointment was allayed by an instantaneous break that restored Alcaraz’s leadership. He did not encounter a break point in the decider, similar to the first set, and he quickly won.
After the match Carlito commented: “I’m really happy [to be in Buenos Aires]. I didn’t expect such a great crowd, a great atmosphere behind me. So I just can say thank you to all the fans here in Buenos Aires for the warm welcome that I received in this first match and I hope to keep going with this energy.”
The injuries
Alcaraz sustained a hamstring injury while preparing for the Australian Open, which came after an abdominal tear interrupted his 2022 season following the Rolex Paris Masters. During his absence, Novak Djokovic overtook him at the top of the ATP Rankings, but he is currently starting his ascent back to the top of the men’s tennis world.
Alcaraz in Buenos Aires, ranking, and results in 2023
Ranked no.2, the Spaniard has an overall 1-0 win-loss record in 2023. Carlos is now playing in Buenos Aires where he defeated the world no.57 Laslo Djere 6-2 4-6 6-2.
will play the world no.90 Dusan Lajovic in the quarter. Their current record is 1-0 for Alcaraz.The Spaniard won 6 titles in his career: 2 on hard courts and 4 on clay courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel) after Rio De Janeiro. The main draw will start on the 20th of February.
Lajovic in Buenos Aires, ranking, and results in 2023
Currently the world no.90, Dusan has managed to achieve an overall 5-3 match record in 2023. Lajovic is competing in Buenos Aires where he conquered the world no.178 Renzo Olivo 6-3 6-4, the world no.164 Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3 6-3, the world no.36 Sebastian Baez 3-6 7-65 6-3 and the world no.127 Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3 6-1.
Dusan Lajovic will compete against the world no.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Alcaraz.
He is also scheduled to play in Santiago (Chile Dove Men+Care Open) after Rio De Janeiro. The main draw will start on the 20th of February.
Carlos Alcaraz and Dusan Lajovic squared off only on 1 occasion. Their record is 1-0 for Alcaraz. When they played, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 6-1 7-5 in the 2nd round in Melbourne (Australian Open) in January 2022.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.