The 19-year-old Spaniard showed signs of ring-rustiness during a two-hour battle on the Court Guillermo Vilas before sealing a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory against Djere, the world number 57. World number two Alcaraz, who will play another Serb, Dusan Lajovic, in the last eight, said afterwards he was relieved to have got his first victory of 2023.
“It’s a great feeling to win again,” the reigning US Open champion said.
“It’s been a long time without any competition and no matches, just recovering – finally I got my first win of 2023.
“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.”
Prior to Wednesday, Alcaraz had not played since suffering a leg muscle tear at the Paris Masters in November which ruled him out of the start of the 2023 season, including the Australian Open.
Against Djere, he started smoothly after taking the first set briskly but then failed to make the most of multiple chances to break his opponent in the second set. Instead Djere pounced on Alcaraz’s inconsistent form to level the match and take it to a third set.
Alcaraz though responded decisively, breaking in the first game and then breaking again for a 5-2 lead before serving out for the match. His quarter-final opponent Lajovic advanced to the last eight earlier Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Camilo Ugo of Argentina.
In the other side of the draw, British second seed Cameron Norrie reached the quarter-finals by defeating Argentina’s Facundo Diaz 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8/6).
Norrie will play Tomas Etcheverry in the quarter-finals after the Argentinian’s 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.
Service box to ballot box: Murray eyes future in politics?
Andy Murray is thinking about a career after tennis but it might take quick footwork if he is to grab a job opening he spotted Wednesday.After the surprise resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as Scottish First Minister, Murray was quick to test the water.
“Interesting vacancy. Was looking to get into politics when I finish playing,” tweeted the Scottish former Wimbledon champion as he shared a BBC article, adding a winking emoji.
Sturgeon was quick to respond.
“I know I said I wouldn’t endorse anyone as my successor, but...” she tweeted, matching Murray’s winking emoji and adding a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing emoji. Murray, former world number one and three-time Grand Slam winner, considered retirement in 2019 as he battled hip injuries that have hampered him since 2017.
However, the 35-year-old is still on the tour and is currently ranked at 70 in the world.