Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the French Open final on Friday after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire mid-match due to a thigh injury. The Italian bowed out while trailing 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0, 2-0 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The world number two expressed sympathy for his opponent after the abrupt end to their semi-final encounter.
“It’s never great to go through or win a match when it’s like this,” said Alcaraz, 22. “He’s done an incredible clay season. I wish him all the best, a quick recovery and that he’ll be back soon.”
Despite the unusual finish, Alcaraz now finds himself one win away from capturing a fifth Grand Slam title.
“It’s been three intense weeks and now I have one step to make,” he said. “I’ll give everything on Sunday, I’ve been playing great tennis this tournament.”
Musetti came out strong in the early stages of the match, saving break points in both the first and seventh games before securing the first set with a well-timed break in the 10th. But Alcaraz responded by dominating the second-set tiebreaker, clinching it on his third set point after Musetti sent a passing shot into the net.
From that point on, Alcaraz raised his level while Musetti’s form waned. The Spaniard surged through the third set in just 22 minutes, dropping only five points as Musetti struggled to keep pace and required treatment for his left thigh.
Early in the fourth, Alcaraz broke again with a blistering forehand return into the corner. Musetti, clearly hampered, walked to the net moments later to concede the match.
Alcaraz now turns his focus to the final, where he’ll face Jannik Sinner in what promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of tennis’ rising stars.
