Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his second French Open final on Friday after Italian Lorenzo Musetti retired injured during their semi-final clash at Court Philippe Chatrier. The world number two was leading 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0, 2-0 when Musetti was forced to quit with an apparent thigh injury.
Alcaraz, 22, expressed sympathy for his opponent. “It’s never great to win like this,” he said. “Lorenzo has had an incredible clay season. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
The Spaniard, who has never lost a Grand Slam final, now awaits the winner of the highly anticipated semi-final between world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz is eyeing his fifth Grand Slam title and a maiden French Open crown.
Their semi-final began with Musetti taking the first set after breaking in the tenth game. Alcaraz responded by edging the second-set tie-break and dominating the third set, dropping just five points in 22 minutes. Musetti, clearly hampered by his thigh, retired early in the fourth after another powerful forehand from Alcaraz sealed a break.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the evening clash between Djokovic and Sinner, a match that could mark a generational shift in men’s tennis. Sinner, 23, is on a 19-match Grand Slam winning streak and has reached the semi-finals without dropping a set. He’s seeking to reach his first Roland Garros final after falling to Alcaraz in five sets at the same stage last year.
“This is going to be very difficult,” said Sinner. “Djokovic has 24 Grand Slams. That speaks for itself.”
Djokovic, 38, has battled back into form after a slow clay season, capturing his 100th ATP title in Geneva and defeating Alexander Zverev in four sets in the quarter-finals. A win in Paris would give him a record 25th Grand Slam title, surpassing Margaret Court.
“Jannik is in tremendous form,” Djokovic admitted. “I just hope I can physically keep up.”
If Djokovic goes on to win the title, he could make history as the first man to defeat the world’s top three players en route to a Grand Slam title.
Written By Rodney Mbua
