Marozsan (23), winner in the Italian capital of his very first matches on the main circuit, won 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Alcaraz had not lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 since the fall of 2021. It was then Hugo Gaston in Paris.

"Carlitos" remained on a series of twelve consecutive victories, with his Barcelona-Madrid double since he set foot on the European clay at the end of April.

Less than two weeks before Roland-Garros, which begins on May 28, where he will be one of the main favorites, this stoppage offers a respite perhaps welcome to the young Spanish phenomenon.

"I'm going to take a few days off. I need to rest my mind a little, to arrive fresh" in Paris, predicts Alcaraz, not upset either to have a little time to devote to training before the Paris Grand Slam.

"I've played so many games (in recent weeks) that I haven't been able to train for more than three, four days in a row. If I want to get a good result in Paris, get there in good shape, it goes through training," he said.

His 2023 record, both overall and on ochre, remains very flattering: he now has thirty wins for only three losses, and twenty wins for two setbacks on clay.

"Not comfortable"

Nevertheless, on Monday, the 20-year-old Spaniard was caught by his Hungarian opponent, because everything succeeded to the native of Budapest who hit in all directions and distilled some well-felt cushions, for a total of 24 winning shots (12 for Alcaraz).

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, future world number one, after his defeat to Hungary's Fabian Marozsan on Monday at the Masters 1000 in Rome. © Tiziana FABI / AFP

In the deciding game, Alcaraz seemed able to turn the game around when he broke away 4-1. But Marozsan won the next six points, and the match.

"I dreamed about it last night," Marozsan smiles. I just tried to do something special, hoping maybe to win a few games, or even a set. But I just beat the (future) world N.1, the best of our sport... I'm so happy."

"Physically, I feel perfectly good. But he made me feel uncomfortable on the court," Alcaraz said. He was aggressive all the time, he had his feet on the backline, even inside the court. It was difficult for me to get into the game, into the exchange. I made a lot of mistakes that I don't usually make too much."

He "played at a very high level, and he maintained that level all game, I couldn't keep up. If he continues to play at this level, he will surprise many."

Marozsan will face Croatia's Borna Coric (16th) to try to reach the quarterfinals.

Daniil Medvedev, world No. 3, and Andrey Rublev, world No. 6, continue their Roman journey, victorious respectively of the Spaniards Bernabe Zapata (3-6, 6-1, 6-3) and Alejandro Davidovich (7-6 (10/8), 6-3).

In the women's draw, world No. 6 Elena Rybakina reached her first quarterfinal on clay in WTA 1000, 6-3, 6-3 at the expense of Czech Marketa Vondrousova, finalist of Roland-Garros 2019.

© 2023 AFP