Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his second consecutive French Open final on Friday after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire due to injury, trailing 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 in their semi-final clash on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Alcaraz, who now stands just one win away from retaining his Roland Garros crown, will face either world No.1 Jannik Sinner or 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final. Should the Spaniard triumph, he would become only the third man this century—after Rafael Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten—to successfully defend the men’s singles title in Paris.
“It’s never nice to go through like this,” Alcaraz said following the match. “Lorenzo is a great player and has had an incredible clay-court season. I wish him a speedy recovery and I’m sure we’ll be enjoying his tennis very soon.”
Musetti, the eighth seed from Italy, showed early resilience, fending off multiple break points in the opening set before capitalising on a loose service game from Alcaraz to take a surprise one-set lead. The defending champion, visibly frustrated at times—he kicked his bench during the second set—eventually found his rhythm to edge a tight tiebreak and level the contest.
From there, Alcaraz shifted into top gear, producing a spellbinding display of aggressive, high-intensity tennis. The third set was a one-sided affair as Musetti, visibly struggling with a left thigh problem, offered little resistance. He would go on to retire just two games into the fourth set.
“The first two sets were tough. I had chances to be ahead in the match but didn’t take them,” admitted Alcaraz. “Winning the second set was a huge relief. From that moment I felt more calm, I could see the court better, and my tennis flowed.”
With three gruelling weeks behind him, the 21-year-old said he felt physically strong heading into the final. “There’s one more step to take. I’ve been doing great things in this tournament and now it’s time to give 100% in the final.”
Alcaraz confirmed he would be watching the evening semi-final between Sinner and Djokovic with great interest.
“I won’t miss that match—it’s one of the best match-ups in tennis right now,” he said. “I’ll watch, enjoy, and see what tactical ideas I can pick up.”
The Spaniard’s charge towards another French Open title now awaits its final test—against one of the sport’s greatest ever champions or its current No.1. Either way, Sunday promises another enthralling chapter in Alcaraz’s burgeoning legacy.