Carlos Alcaraz Advances to French Open Final
Carlos Alcaraz is headed back to the French Open final after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire due to injury. Alcaraz will now compete against either Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner on Sunday. Musetti, seeded eighth, struggled with a left leg injury, quitting the match after losing his eighth consecutive game, with the final score at 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0.
Musetti Expresses Disappointment
Musetti expressed his sadness about the way the match ended, saying, “Sad and disappointed on how it ended. But still a great match… When I was serving in the third, I started losing strength in my left leg. I think stopping was the right decision.”
Alcaraz Was Challenged Before Musetti’s Withdrawal
Alcaraz faced significant challenges before Musetti’s movement deteriorated. The 21-year-old had to elevate his game during a tense second-set tiebreak, as Musetti appeared confident in his first French Open semi-final.
Anticipation for the Upcoming Final
Alcaraz is eagerly looking forward to the final match against either Djokovic or Sinner. “Of course I’ll watch it. It’s one of the best matches we can have in tennis. I’m a big tennis fan,” he stated.
Key Moments in the Match
Initially, it looked like both players could push through to a fifth set. Alcaraz admitted, “I had chances to break his serve but couldn’t capitalize. He was playing great tennis. Winning the second set was a relief.” The second set’s frustration shifted when Alcaraz kicked his bench in response to Musetti’s strong play.
Alcaraz’s Strategic Play
In the tiebreak, Alcaraz intensified his efforts, initially winning the first three points and showcasing exceptional skill. He managed to maintain momentum, winning the tiebreak and then dominating the third set without much resistance from Musetti.
Musetti’s Performance and Future Prospects
Despite Musetti’s frustrations, he felt his level of play in the first two sets was commendable, stating, “Today I had my chances… Carlos deserves to go to the final.” Alcaraz remains unbeaten in his last 13 matches at the French Open and hopes to secure his second title on Sunday.
