Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to the tennis court as the former world number one defeated Serbia’s Laszlo Jere in three sets in the last 16 of the ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

Carlos Alcaraz, in the ATP Buenos Aires apartment

Carlos (2 ATP) won after two hours of play against the Serb, who is ranked 57 in the ATP rankings, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

The main favorite of the competition from Argentina will meet another Serb in the quarter after Dusan Lajovic (90 ATP) categorically defeated Camilo Hugo Carabelli (127 ATP) with a score of 6-3, 6-1.

Alcaraz played his last official match on November 4, 2022, when he had to retire during the match against Holger Rune in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters after complaining of abdominal problems. The injury caused the Iberian to withdraw from the Tournament of Champions.

Then Alcaraz injured the semimembranous muscle of his right leg while preparing for the new season and missed the 2023 Australian Open.

The tournament in Buenos Aires is part of the ATP 250 category, the competition takes place from February 13 to 19, the total prize money is $626,595, and the last champion is Casper Ruud.