The defending champion fights back after dropping the first set, as Lorenzo Musetti withdraws due to injury in the fourth set of their French Open semifinal.
Score at retirement: Musetti led early, but Alcaraz was ahead 4–6, 7–6(3), 6–0, 2–0 when Musetti retired.
First set: Musetti came out strong, taking the opening set 6–4 with aggressive play and smart shot-making.
Momentum shift: Alcaraz edged a tight second-set tiebreak and then blanked Musetti in the third set, winning 6–0.
Injury withdrawal: Musetti, visibly struggling with a left thigh issue, retired early in the fourth set.
Alcaraz’s Road to the Final
Alcaraz is now in his second consecutive French Open final and fifth Grand Slam final overall.
He remains unbeaten in Grand Slam finals, holding a 4–0 record.
The 22-year-old is aiming to become the first man since Rafael Nadal to defend his French Open title successfully.
Lorenzo Musetti: A Promising Run Cut Short
Musetti had played some of the best tennis of his career this fortnight, including an upset win over Casper Ruud.
His retirement was linked to a lingering thigh injury aggravated during the third set.
Despite the setback, this marked Musetti’s first Grand Slam semifinal appearance.
Looking Ahead: Alcaraz vs. Sinner Final
Alcaraz will face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
The two have met 11 times before, with Alcaraz leading 7–4.
This will be their first meeting in a Grand Slam final, signaling a shift in men’s tennis.
Key Notes
Alcaraz’s form on clay this season has been outstanding, with just one loss across four tournaments.
Musetti’s exit continues a pattern of injury withdrawals this season, underlining the physical toll of the clay court stretch.
The final will be a showcase of the next generation of men’s tennis, with two players under 24 competing for the title.
The French Open 2025 men’s final promises high drama and world-class tennis as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner prepare for a historic showdown on the red clay of Roland Garros.
Discussion about this post