Carlos Alcaraz defeated Dusan Lajovic 6–3, 6–3 in the first round of the Rome Masters on clay on 9 May 2025, confirming his status as the overwhelming pre-match favourite with odds of 1.05 to Lajovic's 14.83. The Spaniard's commanding performance saw him progress swiftly through the early stages of the tournament, dropping just six games across two sets against the Serbian opponent. Alcaraz's dominance on the Eternal City's clay courts reinforces his credentials as a leading contender in Rome, with momentum building ahead of his second-round fixture.