In an unexpected twist at the Italian Open, 23-year-old Hungarian, Fabian Marozsan, ranked 135th, delivered a shock to the ATP season, defeating second-seed Carlos Alcaraz with a stunning scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the third round on Monday afternoon.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Marozsan, being the lowest-ranked player to triumph over Alcaraz since July 2021. Prior to his impressive performance in Rome, where he emerged victorious against 67th ranked Corentin Moutet, Marozsan hadn't claimed an ATP match win.
Entering the tournament, Marozsan's form left much to be desired. Despite his victory at a clay-court ATP Challenger event in March, he had suffered defeats in five out of his preceding six matches. In contrast, Alcaraz boasted an impressive record of 30-2 in 2022, courtesy of wins in Barcelona and Madrid, and was set to reclaim the top spot in ATP rankings the following week.
Even in defeat, Alcaraz maintained his characteristic optimism, acknowledging the superior performance of his opponent. When queried about potential physical impediments, he dismissed the idea, stating that he was in perfect physical condition. Alcaraz confessed to feeling out of sorts during the match, attributing this to Marozsan's persistent aggression and control of the baseline.
Ironically, this setback could work to Alcaraz's advantage, offering him a breather before the French Open where he will be the top seed at a grand slam for the first time. For Marozsan, this victory propels him closer to a spot in the ATP top 114, edging him nearer to his first main draw grand slam appearance. Marozsan confessed to being thrilled with his performance, admitting that he had surpassed his initial goal of winning one match.
In his first outing on a major stadium court, Marozsan was unflappable as he faced the tour's most talked-about player. From the outset, his precise serves and control of the baseline put Alcaraz on the defensive, and his well-executed drop shots kept Alcaraz guessing.
As Marozsan gained momentum in the opening set, Alcaraz struggled to match up. Despite a commendable attempt to retrieve the break at 3-4 in the set, and forcing a tie-break, Alcaraz couldn't halt Marozsan's onslaught.
Marozsan stunned spectators when he claimed the final six points of the match with a series of extraordinary winners from challenging defensive positions. His relentless offensive effort forced Alcaraz into a forehand error, securing the most significant win of his career.
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev made steady progress into the fourth round, overcoming Spain's Bernabé Zapata Miralles 3-6, 6-1, 6-3. This year, Medvedev has consistently made it to the round of 16 in all three clay court Masters 1000 events, indicating his increasing comfort on clay.
