It was a historic moment for the Spaniard as he became the first teen to reach the Italian Open final. He defeated Lorenzo Musetti in a came-from-behind contest. The world number three had to dig deep into his experience and quality to come through a two-hour tussle 6-3, 7-6. Alcaraz’s victory now puts him on a collision course with one of Jannik Sinner or Tommy Paul in the title match.
Alcaraz produced a sensational performance against Djokovic in the final. Manarino took charge from the outset, getting a double break to start the first set. He fought hard to close out the first set 6-3. The second set was a tough battle and even though he led 4-2 in the set, Musetti was not done. Alcaraz, showing no fear, came back to square the match and eventually won in a third-set tiebreak.
A Tough Match Under Challenging Conditions
During the match, Alcaraz had to deal with atypically humid conditions in addition to his opponent. He pointed out that it was hard to play with the wind impacting play, which made for an even tougher battle on the field that day.
“Today was a really difficult day with the conditions, the wind was tough to play with,” – Carlos Alcaraz
With all of these factors at play, for a good amount of the match Alcaraz kept his focus and composure in check. He emphasized the importance of strategic play over flashy shots, stating:
“It wasn’t about playing brilliant, spectacular tennis. It was about playing smart tennis, playing solid, going to the point when you can, and waiting for the chance to play aggressively. I think I did that pretty well.” – Carlos Alcaraz
Crowd Dynamics and Support for Musetti
The match took place in front of a spirited crowd that largely supported Musetti, complicating Alcaraz’s efforts on the court. Recognizing the mighty power of a crowd, he praised their excitement and orderliness.
“Today the crowd was for Lorenzo, so it wasn’t easy. It was great, honestly. The atmosphere was great,” – Carlos Alcaraz
He even praised the audience’s unusually civil behavior, given their evident rooting for his opponent.
“I have to say thank you for them being respectful as well. Obviously there are some times they were cheering for him in some moments between serves… But in general, they were respectful. So I have to thank them.” – Carlos Alcaraz
Looking Ahead to the Final
With this success, Carlos Alcaraz has set himself up for an opportunity to add his first Italian Open crown to his collection. He can now look ahead to a last four showdown against the winner of the other semi-final between Jannik Sinner and Tommy Paul. As he prepares for the final, Alcaraz is staying locked in. He has a game plan, and by God, he’s going to implement it and overcome opposition and all other obstacles.
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