Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open champion and Spanish tennis sensation, has booked his place in the final of Roland Garros once again after his semi-final opponent, Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, was forced to retire early in the fourth set due to injury.
The highly anticipated clash between two of this season’s most dominant clay-court players delivered early thrills, but ended in disappointment for Musetti and his fans. Alcaraz, seeded second, was leading 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, 2-0 when Musetti—clearly struggling with a thigh injury—signaled his inability to continue.
A Battle That Began with Fireworks
The match opened with promise, showcasing the elegant finesse of Musetti against the raw athleticism and aggression of Alcaraz. Musetti drew first blood, taking the opening set 6-4 in front of a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 23-year-old Italian, chasing his first appearance in a Grand Slam final, played confidently and creatively, matching Alcaraz shot for shot in the early stages.
But the Spanish star, 22, known for his remarkable composure and relentless pressure, responded in the second set. After a tight back-and-forth, Alcaraz edged out the tiebreak 7-3, leveling the match and shifting the momentum entirely in his favor.
From there, the tone changed. Alcaraz stormed through the third set without dropping a game, while Musetti began to visibly limp and struggle. At the end of the set, the Italian received medical attention on his left thigh, and though he attempted to continue, he was soon forced to concede defeat.
Alcaraz: ‘I Want to Win, But Not Like This’
After the match, Alcaraz expressed sympathy for his opponent.
“It’s never fair. I want to win but not like this,” Alcaraz said during his on-court interview. “Lorenzo is a great player, and this is not the way anyone wants a big match to end.”
Despite the abrupt conclusion, Alcaraz acknowledged the intensity of their earlier exchanges and praised Musetti’s performance.
“The first two sets were some of the highest-quality tennis we’ve played this year,” he added. “We both came out firing.”
Musetti: ‘It Was the Right Decision, But Not What I Wanted’
Musetti later confirmed that the pain in his thigh became unmanageable during the third set.
“When I was serving, I started losing a bit of strength in the left leg, and it was getting worse and worse,” he explained. “It was the right decision to stop, but not what I wanted, especially in such an important match.”
The injury ends a brilliant French Open run for Musetti, who showed this fortnight why he’s considered one of the most technically gifted players on tour, especially on clay.
Alcaraz Eyes Back-to-Back Titles
Now into his second consecutive French Open final, Alcaraz continues his campaign for a fifth Grand Slam title and his second at Roland Garros. His 2024 triumph marked a coming-of-age moment for the young Spaniard, and a successful defense this year would further cement his position as the new face of men’s tennis.
His opponent on Sunday will be either Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner. That semifinal is scheduled for later Friday evening and promises to be another blockbuster.
Alcaraz, who has grown into a student of the sport as much as a star, said he’ll be watching with great interest.
“I’m not going to miss it,” he said. “This match is one of the best match-ups we have in tennis right now. It’s going to be great tennis. I’ll enjoy it—and maybe take some tactics from it, too.”
What Comes Next
The final on Sunday will be Alcaraz’s chance to claim back-to-back French Open titles and further his legacy as the heir to Spain’s clay-court throne, long held by Rafael Nadal. Whether he faces Djokovic—the Grand Slam titan seeking a record twenty-fifth major title—or Sinner, the world number one and rising powerhouse from Italy, one thing is certain: Alcaraz will be ready
Written By Joe Brens
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