Karen Khachanov reveals what he noticed about Carlos Alcaraz during their fourth-round match in Rome

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Carlos Alcaraz was looking to reach the quarterfinals of the Italian Open for the first time.

The 22-year-old began his Italian Open campaign with a big win against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, taking him down in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Alcaraz then beat Laslo Djere in the third round, 7-6, 6-2, setting up a fourth-round clash with the dangerous Russian.

Khachanov pushed Alcaraz all the way in a thrilling three-set battle, eventually losing out 3-6, 6-3, 5-7.

Shortly after, Khachanov revealed what he noticed about his opponent during the match that made him ‘glad’.

Karen Khachanov noticed Carlos Alcaraz get ‘tired’ during their fourth-round match in Rome

Russian media outlet, Bolshe, asked Khachanov for his thoughts on Alcaraz, who said he struggled with the world number 24’s ‘pace’ during their Italian Open contest.

“Yes, it’s about the intensity of the shots, the intensity of the rallies. I made him fight to win those rallies,” he said.

“But he did the same to me. I’d say there is a similarity between us when it comes to the energy and the intensity of the shots.

“Of course, the technique, the variety of the games are different, but when it comes to the intensity of the game, that’s the goal, to exhaust the opponent during the match.

“I noticed that at one point, he was tired. So I’m glad.”

Khachanov was disappointed to have come up short in such a close match, but highlighted an ‘interesting’ statistic.

“I played a great match, a very consistent match,” he said.

“Interesting fact, I won three more points than him. But those three points were won at the wrong moment.

“That means it was a really close match that could’ve gone either way.”

• Karen Khachanov points won – 98
• Carlos Alcaraz points won – 95

Khachanov’s defeat to Alcaraz in Rome was the closest he’d ever been to beating the Spaniard, having lost their previous four encounters in straight sets.

The 28-year-old will no doubt hope to secure his first win over Alcaraz before too long, and may now be feeling as confident as ever to do so.

Khachanov is set to return to action at the Geneva Open, where he’ll compete as the number six seed, an event which begins on Monday, May 19.

Could fatigue play a role in Carlos Alcaraz’s 2025 season?

The Italian Open is Alcaraz’s eighth tournament of 2025, as he continues to play a full ATP Tour schedule.

Making deep runs at most events, Alcaraz has played more matches than the majority of his top-ten rivals this year.

Only Alex de Minaur (36) has played more matches in 2025 than Alcaraz among the top ten players.

Many would argue, however, that Alcaraz’s mental fatigue has been more noticeable than his physical fatigue this year.

On several occasions, Alcaraz’s level has dipped during matches he’s looked comfortable in this year.

His inconsistencies were particularly visible at the Qatar Open in February, when Alcaraz found himself in two three-set battles.

• 2025 Qatar Open QF – Carlos Alcaraz lost to Jiri Lehecka, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6
• 2025 Qatar Open 2R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Luca Nardi, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

The Spaniard looked in total control during his second round match, winning the first set 6-1, against Italy’s Luca Nardi.

His level then dipped dramatically, allowing his opponent to take the second set, before Alcaraz eventually beat Nardi in three sets.

Alcaraz will hope to maintain his level throughout the remainder of his 2025 campaign as he looks to add to his tally of four Grand Slam titles.

The Spaniard will have a great chance of doing so at Roland Garros, which begins on Sunday, May 25.