Overview

• Carlos Alcaraz marked his return from hamstring and groin injuries with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in the Italian Open second round.
• The 22-year-old Spaniard played with a protective brace on his right leg but reported no pain during the match, describing it as a successful test of his recovery.
• Alcaraz, the third seed in Rome, is seeking his first title at the tournament and views it as a key warm-up ahead of defending his French Open crown later this month.
• The Italian Open also features the return of world number one Jannik Sinner, who is competing after serving a three-month doping ban, adding intrigue to a potential final clash with Alcaraz.
• Alcaraz will next face either Alex Michelsen or Laslo Djere in the third round as he continues his clay-court campaign.