Carlos Alcaraz dug out by Alexander Zverev after turning up nine hours early for match

They say the early bird catches the worm, and will be hoping that statement rings true when he takes to the court in Rome on Sunday evening. The world No. 3 is playing the final match of the night session on Campo Centrale and is not expected to come out before 8.30pm local time.

But he turned up at the Foro Italico nine hours before his third-round match and was immediately questioned by Alexander Zverev, who wanted to know why Alcaraz had arrived so early. And the Spaniard had a hilarious explanation, showing where his priorities lay.

Alcaraz returned to the Italian Open on Friday after skipping it last year due to an arm injury. It was a successful start for the third seed, who needed an hour and 22 minutes to breeze past qualifier Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-3.

The Spaniard will now face another Serbian player, Laslo Djere, as he bids to make it beyond the third round in Rome for the first time in his career. And he was an eager beaver ahead of the match, coming to the site with nine hours to go.

Zverev was surprised to see Alcaraz on the grounds in the morning and quizzed him when he arrived. "Why are you here so early?" the German asked.

"It's Real Madrid-Barca at 4.15pm. I have to watch it," Alcaraz replied with a smile.

The world No. 2 was still confused, pointing out that they didn't play in Italy. "You have to warm up also. [It's] nine hours before the match," he said.

But Alcaraz had his whole day planned out, adding: "Now [I warm up] and watch the football in peace."

Reigning champion Zverev, who was playing in the day session on Campo Centrale, joked: "Very professional. Priorities."

The second seed got the job done in his own match, beating Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas to reach the last 16.

Zverev will now face Arthur Fils, the 13th seed, . The German leads their head-to-head 3-2, though he lost their latest match at the Miami Open.

After getting his pre-match practice session out of the way to watch El Clasico, Alcaraz won't be happy. The 22-year-old is a die-hard Real Madrid fan, and they lost 4-3 to Barcelona.

Alcaraz has been enjoying plenty of football in Rome this week, as he also went to the Stadio Olimpico, which is just metres away from the Foro Italico, to watch the Lazio-Juventus game on Saturday.