On Friday, Carlos Alcaraz made it to the Italian Open final after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(4). The Spaniard will now watch intently as Jannik Sinner takes on Tommy Paul with the prospect of a hyped all-star final for the fans awaiting in the wings.
Alcaraz tested his composure amid pressure from the partisan Italian crowd on centre court, extending his head-to-head record against Musetti to five wins. The 23-year-old, who only lost to Alcaraz last month in the Monte Carlo final, cracked under the strain in the first set, with three breaks of serve coming against him and 29 unforced errors being called his own.
The tensions continued into the second, with early breaks traded from both sides—Musetti managing to seal, at one point, a 4-3 advantage following a volley so immaculate it drew applause from Alcaraz himself. However, the world Number 3 wasted no time in breaking back, further pouring oil on Musetti’s fiery frustration when he smashed his racket into the stands and was penalized with a point.
Alcaraz remained cool and finished the job in the tiebreak, hitting the final on the fourth occasion this year, adjusting his game for Roland Garros.
