Alcaraz, Draper set up third clash of the season

Carlos Alcaraz and Brit Jack Draper will meet for the third time this season after the pair won into a high-profile quarter-final at the Rome Masters on Tuesday.

Alcaraz completed his career matched set of Masters 1000 quarter-final spot as he defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

Draper, ranked fifth on the ATP list, overwhelmed Corentin Moutet 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, with the Frenchman nursing a right thigh problem after a third-set tumble and a medical timeout.

Both matches began in sunshine but ended with clouds threatening the first rain in a week at the Foro Italico.

Draper and Alcaraz have played this season at the Australian Open and at Indian Wells, the tournament which Draper won.

The Briton has won two of their last three meetings dating to Queen’s club last summer.

“Jack is a good friend and he is playing great,” Alcaraz said after polishing his clay record over the past 12 months to 24-2.

“I’ve been watching his matches. I have to be ready with my best tennis, it will be a great battle.”

Alcaraz defeated Khachanov for the fifth time without a loss in two and a half hours, striking 41 winners. 

The Spaniard needs at least a semi-final here to guarantee himself the second seeding at Roland Garros behind Jannik Sinner.

He admitted he came to the court tired and lacking in energy but managed to claim the struggling victory.

“I wasn’t feeling any pain but it was still tough – I had to run a lot. I’m proud that I tried to get to every ball.

“I played as good as I could and I’m really happy about that.”

Draper, runner-up this month in Madrid, will be playing is third Masters quarter-final of the season.

Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz winning in Foro Italico today – by Pete Staples/ATPTour.com