Ready to defend the title! Carlos Alcaraz reaches Roland Garros final after Lorenzo Musetti retirement

Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the French Open final following Lorenzo Musetti's retirement during the fourth set of their semifinal clash, with the score at 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0, ret. It was the third encounter between Musetti and Alcaraz on the clay-court swing, but unfortunately, the Italian was unable to finish the match this time, and Alcaraz once again secured the victory.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has advanced to the tournament final for the second consecutive year, extending his winning streak in Paris to 13 matches. He will look to defend his crown this Sunday against the winner of the match between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.

First Set

Everything started quite evenly between the two. In the first game, Alcaraz sent a warning by getting his first break point, but Musetti managed to hold serve without issues. Both players held their serves for a good portion of the set, until the 7th game when the Italian created his first opportunity, though he couldn't convert it.

Musetti was up 5-4 when the key moment of the match so far arrived. A couple of unforced errors from Alcaraz in long rallies gave the world No. 7 a new break chance, which he seized this time, taking the set 6-4 in a match that was quite even and ultimately tilted towards the Italian by being better in the crucial moment, despite being marked by 12 unforced errors from his side to 13 from the Spaniard.

Second Set

Things remained even at the start, with both defending their first service game, but Alcaraz got the first break in the third game, taking a 2-1 lead. Musetti quickly responded with a break on his first chance of the set, leveling the score. This time, Alcaraz looked slightly better on return, creating several break opportunities at 4-4, but couldn't convert them.

Towards the end, with the score at 5-5, both again showed their effectiveness on return. Alcaraz secured the break and had the chance to serve for the set, but Musetti recovered to send everything to a tie-break. It was of little use, as the defending champion dominated the tie-break from the start, and on his third set point, he leveled the match 7-6(3).

Third Set

After a couple of sets of very high-level tennis from both sides, the match unravelled due to Musetti's first physical discomfort. Alcaraz took control of the match, easily holding his service games and securing an early break on his second break opportunity. However, Musetti couldn't react, and 'Carlitos' capitalized on the momentum to take a comfortable lead.

The Spaniard conceded only one point on his serve throughout the set and was impeccable on return. He won 75% of return points, converting 3/5 break opportunities. With 9 winners against Musetti's mere 2, Alcaraz delivered a bagel in only 24 minutes, taking the third set 6-0.

Fourth Set

Little more tennis was seen on Philippe Chatrier, as Musetti's physical discomfort deepened. Alcaraz comfortably held his first service game and then responded with an early break that put him ahead 2-0. At that moment, Musetti decided he could not continue the match and was forced to retire, sending Alcaraz to the semifinals with a score of 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0, ret. 'Carlitos' now awaits his next opponent between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.

Match Statistics Musetti vs. Alcaraz