The Italian Open got off to an electrifying start as two of tennis’ biggest names, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, opened their campaigns with dominant straight-set victories. With both players looking to sharpen their form ahead of Roland Garros, their performances in Rome sent a strong message to the rest of the field.
Alcaraz Returns with Authority
Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish star and four-time Grand Slam winner, showed no signs of rust in his return from injury as he dismantled Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 in his opening-round match. Alcaraz had sustained a thigh injury during last month’s Barcelona Open final against Holger Rune, which forced him to miss the Madrid Open. However, the 22-year-old returned to action with remarkable confidence and intensity.
The match began with Alcaraz storming to a 4-0 lead in the first set, displaying his trademark blend of aggressive baseline play and court coverage. Although Lajovic managed to win the next three games to close the gap, Alcaraz kept his composure and closed out the set 6-3. He followed a similar pattern in the second set, once again jumping to a 3-0 lead and maintaining his dominance throughout the rest of the match.
“Today was a really good day in the office,” Alcaraz said after the win. “Hopefully tomorrow and Sunday are going to be even better.” The victory not only marked a successful return to the tour but also reinforced Alcaraz’s status as one of the top contenders in Rome. He will next face either American Alex Michelsen or Serbia’s Laslo Djere in the round of 32.
Sabalenka in Command
On the women’s side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka made an equally emphatic statement. Facing Russia’s Anastasia Potapova, Sabalenka showed no mercy as she cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win in just over an hour. The Belarusian, who finished as the runner-up at last year’s Italian Open, looked sharp and focused from the very first point.
Sabalenka dominated every facet of the game—her powerful serve, aggressive returns, and relentless pace from the baseline left Potapova struggling to find answers. It was a commanding performance that showcased why Sabalenka remains one of the favorites to take home the title this year.
“I’d say that the top player is always a favorite,” Sabalenka said confidently after her win. “I know that if I bring my best game and my fighting spirit on court, I can win this tournament.”
Sabalenka’s next opponent will be American Sofia Kenin, who also advanced with a convincing 6-3, 6-0 victory over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Building Momentum for Roland Garros
With both Alcaraz and Sabalenka easing into their Italian Open campaigns, fans can expect more high-quality tennis as the tournament progresses. For Alcaraz, it’s about regaining top form after injury. For Sabalenka, it’s about finishing what she started last year and lifting the trophy. One thing is clear: both are already making their presence felt in Rome.