Carlos Alcaraz Reaches First Italian Open Final After Beating Lorenzo Musetti in Thriller
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz secured a place in his maiden Italian Open final after overcoming Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in a gripping semi-final clash on Friday that lasted over two hours.
The 20-year-old Spaniard dashed home hopes of an all-Italian final with a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory in Rome, showcasing resilience and tactical brilliance in front of a passionate Italian crowd.
Musetti Fights Hard But Falls Short
Musetti, carrying the hopes of the host nation, looked determined to avenge his earlier defeat to Alcaraz in Monte Carlo. Backed by an electrifying local crowd, he started strong but struggled to contain the Spaniard’s aggressive return game.
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Alcaraz broke Musetti twice in the opening set, clinching it 6-3. Frustration got the better of the Italian, who smashed his racquet and showed visible signs of dismay—though he continued to receive encouragement from the Roman crowd.
In the second set, Musetti briefly took control with a 4-2 lead. However, Alcaraz fought back tenaciously, leveling the set and eventually forcing a tiebreak. Despite Musetti saving a match point, Alcaraz maintained composure and sealed the win in straight sets.
Alcaraz Praises Crowd and Reveals Tactical Approach
Speaking after the match, Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged the intense atmosphere created by the home fans:
“Today the crowd was for Lorenzo, so it wasn’t easy. It was great, honestly. The atmosphere was great.”
He also commended the crowd’s sportsmanship:
“They were cheering for him, but overall, they were respectful. I have to thank them for that.”
Alcaraz admitted that the windy conditions in Rome posed a significant challenge.
“It was a really difficult day with the wind. It wasn’t about playing spectacular tennis, but smart and solid tennis,” he noted.
The Spaniard highlighted his strategic focus during the match:
“I waited for the right moments to play aggressively. I think I managed that pretty well.”
Awaiting Final Opponent
Alcaraz now awaits the winner of the other semi-final between world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and American Tommy Paul, with the final showdown promising high drama at the Foro Italico.
