Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached back-to-back French Open finals after Italian eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired with injury while trailing 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 on Friday.
Alcaraz, who is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten, will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.
“It’s never great to go through like this,” Alcaraz said, before hailing Musetti’s achievement of reaching at least the semifinals of all four elite claycourt events this year.
“He’s a great player, he has had an incredible claycourt season … I wish him a speedy recovery and I’m sure we’ll be enjoying his tennis pretty soon.”
Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game.
A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti’s dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to dish out a bagel in the third set.
Musetti receives medical treatment to his left leg at the change of ends.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Musetti receives medical treatment to his left leg at the change of ends.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Musetti, who appeared to be hampered by a left thigh issue midway through the third set, threw in the towel after two games in the fourth. “I started feeling this discomfort in the first games of the third set. I tried to manage it, but I felt I was losing more and more strength and power in that muscle, and eventually, I just couldn’t keep up in the rallies,” the world number seven told a press conference. “At that point, it was risky to force it — I wasn’t able to stay in the match anymore.”
Alcaraz admitted that the first two sets were challenging and he couldn’t make the most of the chances he had. “When I won the second set, I was relieved and I knew that I needed to be aggressive and be myself. I was calmer. I could see clearer and I could play great tennis at the start of the third.
“I’m feeling great physically. It’s been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I’m playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I’ve been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100% in the final.”
Alcaraz said he would tune into the second semifinal on Court Philippe Chatrier to study his potential opponents.
“I’m not going to miss tonight’s match, it’s one of the best we can have right now, Sinner against Djokovic,” he said. “I’m going to watch it and enjoy it and take tactics from the match.”
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com