ROME – Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in the Italian Open final on Friday, overcoming home favourite Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), to set up a potential blockbuster clash with world number one Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz needed just over two hours to secure victory in blustery conditions, marking his fourth final appearance of the season as he builds momentum heading into the French Open later this month. The Spaniard now awaits the outcome of the second semi-final between Sinner and American Tommy Paul to see whether he’ll face his Italian rival in a highly anticipated final that fans around the world are hoping to witness.
“Both players are playing great tennis—everyone saw the match against Casper [Ruud],” said Alcaraz. “If I play against Tommy Paul, I’ll have to be ready for that challenge. If it’s Jannik, then it’ll be a battle—and I’ll also have to be ready for the crowd.”
Sinner, who produced a dazzling performance to oust Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals, is widely expected to overcome Paul and advance to Sunday’s final.Yet despite the home support Sinner would enjoy, Musetti believes that Alcaraz would have the upper hand if the two young stars meet.
Friday’s match marked Musetti’s fifth consecutive defeat to Alcaraz and followed his loss to the Spaniard in last month’s Monte Carlo final. Musetti struggled for consistency, committing 29 unforced errors in the opening set and surrendering three service breaks. His frustrations boiled over when he was warned for smashing his racket after dropping serve to lose the first set.
Alcaraz gifted Musetti a break with a long forehand in the opening game of the second set, but the Italian immediately returned the favour. He rallied briefly, breaking Alcaraz again and producing a stunning backhand volley that even drew applause from his opponent.
But Alcaraz soon regained control, breaking back in the eighth game to level the set. Musetti’s frustration intensified, leading him to smash a ball into the stands and receive a point penalty in the following game. Alcaraz took full advantage, holding serve to love and maintaining his composure in the tie-break to seal the win—dashing hopes of an all-Italian final.
Earlier in the day, Jasmine Paolini continued her remarkable run at the Foro Italico, reaching her second final of the week—this time in doubles. Alongside partner Sara Errani, the reigning champions defeated the Russian pair Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-4 in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
Paolini and Errani will face either Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens or Australia’s Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez in Sunday’s final. But before that, 29-year-old Paolini has a shot at singles glory as she takes on Coco Gauff on Saturday.
