Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sealed a spot in a longest French Open final for the second consecutive time victory after Lorenzo Musetti retired due to a left thigh injury while behind 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 in the semi-final of their duel on Friday.
Musetti, who had a very fruitful clayweather season with a final in Monte Carlo and semi-finals in Madrid and Rome, took the first set with quiet shot-making. Alcaraz, however, came hotly from the cold in the second set tiebreak before going on a thrashing run in the third set with his power and accuracy to the max.
The Italian lost his physical condition at the end of the third set and he was forced to quit after he had played only two games in the fourth, he later stated that he had lost strength in his left leg. Alcaraz said that he had great respect for Musetti as he was a very strong player in clay this season and he sent warm wishes to him for fast recovery. “Everybody knows it is not pleasant, but we have to deal with it,” the Spaniard said.
Alcaraz is set to face the winner of the match between world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the last semi-final. “This is probably one of the most definite most engaging matches we can have right now,” Alcaraz said. “I will definitely check it out and learn a few tricks.”The final will be held on Sunday at Roland Garros.
