Carlos Alcaraz Out of Italian Open Exit After Losing to No.135-Ranked Fabian Marozsan

Carlos Alcaraz with the trophy Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in April 2023
Carlos Alcaraz with the trophy Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in April 2023. Photo by Bagu Blanco/Pressinphoto/Shutterstock (13882025b)

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz has ended his appearance at the 2023 Italian Open in unceremonious fashion. Alcaraz was eliminated in the third round of the tournament after suffering a straight-set (6-3, 7-6) loss to Fabian Marozsan, the world’s No.135 player.

Alcaraz was considered one of the favorites to win the tournament before this shocking exit. But despite the loss, the 20-year player is set to surpass Novak Djokovic and become the new No. 1 on ATP Rankings after they are updated later this week.

This undoubtedly ranks as the biggest win of Marozsan’s career. The Hungarian has never made the main draw of an ATP event, and he never beat a Top 100-ranked opponent in his tennis career.

Marozsan showed impressive composure against Alcaraz despite the fact that he was facing a Grand Slam winner. This was especially the case in the second set tiebreak when he won six straight points to climb out of a 4-1 hole and punch his ticket to the Round of 16.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Alcaraz praised Marozsan for his performance.

“He surprised me a lot. His level was really, really high,” said Alcaraz. “If he plays at that level, he’s going to surprise more than one. I’m sure he’s going to break the top 100 very, very soon.”