Google News
World no. 135 Fabian Marozsan stunned world no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the Rome Masters third round! The 23-year-old Hungarian qualified for the main draw and debuted on the ATP Tour. Not stopping there, Fabian scored two victories to reach the last 32 and set the clash against Carlos.
Showing no sign of nerves, the lowe-ranked player scored a rock-solid 6-3, 7-6 win in an hour and 40 minutes for a career-best triumph. Marozsan was delighted with his performance, doing everything right and outplaying the ATP Race leader.
While thinking about the match last night, Fabian wanted to win a couple of games or maybe a set. Instead, he stunned world no. 2 and advanced into the last 16, where he meets Borna Coric. A tall player dominated with his forehand and had the upper hand in the decisive moments to leave the favorite empty-handed.
World no. 135 Fabian Marozsan stunned Carlos Alcaraz in Rome.
Fabian hit 24 winners and 13 unforced errors, leaving Carlos on a 12-24 ratio. The Spaniard missed too many groundstrokes, never feeling comfortable from the baseline and staying in touch only thanks to 24 service winners.
The Hungarian dropped 15 points in 11 service games, losing serve once and delivering two breaks from seven opportunities to emerge at the top in style. Marozasn denied a break point in the encounter's opening game with a forced error and served well in the rest of the set to keep the pressure on Alcaraz.
He broke Carlos at love in game four with a forehand crosscourt winner to forge a 3-1 advantage and gain a boost. The Hungarian produced comfortable holds in games five, seven and nine and wrapped up the set with a forehand drive-volley winner at 5-3.
With nothing working his way, Alcaraz faced three break points at 2-2 in the second set. He stayed calm, denied them and held with a service winner for 3-2 and momentum. However, the Hungarian broke him at 3-3 and moved closer to the finish line.
Carlos pulled the break back in game eight to return to the positive side and saved a break point at 5-5 with a service winner to reach a tie break. The Spaniard led 4-1, but the Hungarian was not impressed! Marozsan claimed six straight points to seal the deal in style and introduce himself to the tennis world.
"It's not easy to say anything at the moment. I'm delighted; I can not imagine this. It was my dream last night, and now it happened. I tried to do something special and take a few games or a set. I just beat world no. 1, the best player in our sport, and I'm thrilled.
Everything was perfect today, and I'm happy doing my job. I trailed 4-1 in the tie break and won six straight points; it's amazing. I do not know what happened during the points; I tried to hit back every ball and do my best. I tried to figure out how to win points against him, and it happened for me," Fabian Marozsan said.