Carlos Alcaraz battles into Italian Open quarter-finals

ROME – A tired Carlos Alcaraz reached the Italian Open quarter-finals on May 13 after battling past Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to continue his bid for a first Rome title.

Third seed Alcaraz had never lost a set in his previous four meetings with Russia’s Khachanov but was forced to fight on the Foro Italico centre court.

Alcaraz, 22, needs to get to the Rome semis not just for a chance at his third title of the season, but also to secure a top-two seeding at the French Open, which begins later in May.

The Spaniard took his 12th clay-court win of 2025 to set up a clash in the last eight with fifth seed Jack Draper, a winner over France’s Corentin Moutet.

“It was tiring,” said Alcaraz.

“You know the match was really tough. I had to run. I had to run a lot.

“I didn’t play well. I just fought and I’m just really happy about it.”

Alcaraz seemed set to cruise through when he rattled off six games in a row to win the first set and the first game of the second.

Khachanov’s fate looked sealed when his serve was broken in the fifth game of the second set, but the big hitter had other ideas and immediately broke back before claiming the set.

And the 28-year-old showed incredible spirit to win three games on the bounce to level the third set at 4-4, just as Alcaraz looked certain to win.

But Alcaraz would not be denied and took an entertaining match at the second time of asking.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray and former rival Novak Djokovic have ended their coaching partnership after six months, the pair announced on May 13.

Djokovic stunned the tennis world in November when he hired the retired Murray, who had no track record as a coach.

But the two 37-year-olds have now parted company after a tough start to the season for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, with the French Open looming.

“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” said Djokovic.

Britain’s Murray, born just a week before the Serb, thanked his former adversary for the chance to work with him.

“Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months,” Murray said in a statement.

“I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”

The partnership between the two former world No. 1s started well, with Djokovic defeating Alcaraz at the Australian Open, only to be forced to retire during his semi-final against Alexander Zverev as a result of injury.

But success has since proved elusive for Djokovic, who is stuck on 99 career singles titles.

He has not won a single match on clay this season, losing in the first round at Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Djokovic pulled out of the Italian Open but has taken a wild card into next week’s Geneva Open as he searches for form.

His hopes of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam triumph, which would take him clear of Australia women’s great Margaret Court’s tally of 24 Major singles titles, appear to be fading.

Murray admitted at the Australian Open in January he had not wanted to jump straight into coaching following his retirement in 2024, but Djokovic’s offer proved too good to refuse.

Djokovic was glowing in his praise of Murray, and it was announced in February that they would continue to work together for the hard-court events in Indian Wells and Miami and some clay-court events.

It was anticipated that would include the French Open, while Murray’s success at Wimbledon made that a logical choice too, but they have decided to part ways.

Djokovic and Murray, who won three Grand Slams, including two Wimbledon titles, were part of the “Big Four” who dominated men’s tennis along with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, both of whom have retired.

They met 36 times on court, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head record 25-11. AFP