Alcaraz Marks Return From Injury With Win At Argentina Open

Former No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz's return to competitive tennis was a triumphant one as he secured a hard-fought victory against Laslo Djere at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Spaniard, who had been out of action for four months due to a leg muscle tear, showed signs of rustiness during the match before eventually winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

The victory was particularly significant for Alcaraz, who had missed the start of the 2023 season, including the Australian Open, due to his injury. The world number 2 was pleased to have secured his first win of the year and expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support.

"I'm really happy. I didn't expect such a great atmosphere behind me. So a thank you to all the fans here – hopefully, I can keep going with this energy," said Alcaraz.

In the quarterfinals, Alcaraz will face Dusan Lajovic, who defeated Camilo Ugo of Argentina to advance to the last eight. British second seed Cameron Norrie also secured a place in the quarterfinals by defeating Argentina's Facundo Diaz 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) and will play Tomas Etcheverry in the next round.

Alcaraz's victory was not without its challenges, as he initially dominated the first set before Djere rallied to take the second. However, Alcaraz responded in the third set, breaking Djere in the first game and again for a 5-2 lead before serving out for the match.

Afterwards, Alcaraz expressed his relief at having secured his first win since his injury, saying, "It's a great feeling to win again...finally I got my first win of 2023." With his return to form, Alcaraz will be hoping to continue his winning ways and make a strong showing at the Argentina Open.