Defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the Roland Garros 2025 final in dramatic fashion on Friday, advancing after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire due to injury during their semifinal clash.
The match, which showcased intense competition on the clay courts of Court Philippe Chatrier, ended with a score of 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 in Alcaraz’s favour, marking his second consecutive French Open final appearance.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, currently ranked world No. 2, demonstrated resilience and skill as he battled back after dropping the first set. Musetti, the Italian underdog, had initially taken the lead, winning the opening set 6-4 with a combination of precise shot-making and defensive prowess. However, Alcaraz shifted gears in the second set, edging out a tight tiebreak 7-6(3) to level the match. From there, the momentum swung decisively in Alcaraz’s favour as Musetti began to struggle physically.
The third set saw Alcaraz dominate, winning 6-0 as Musetti’s movement became increasingly laboured due to an apparent leg injury. Despite a medical timeout, the Italian could not regain his form, and after Alcaraz broke his serve early in the fourth set to lead 2-0, Musetti made the difficult decision to retire, ending his remarkable run at Roland Garros. The crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier gave Musetti a warm ovation for his efforts, acknowledging the grit he displayed throughout the tournament.
“It’s never easy to see an opponent retire, and I feel for Lorenzo,” Alcaraz said in his post-match interview. “He’s had an incredible tournament, and I hope he recovers quickly. For me, reaching another final here at Roland Garros is a dream. I’m ready to give my all on Sunday.”
This victory marks Alcaraz’s second straight French Open final, a testament to his growing dominance on clay. The young Spaniard, who has already amassed 19 ATP Tour-level singles titles—including four Grand Slams and seven ATP 1000 titles—continues to solidify his reputation as one of tennis’s brightest stars. His path to the final has been marked by resilience, having previously overcome challenging matches in earlier rounds, and he now stands one win away from claiming his fifth major title.
Musetti’s retirement echoes a similar scenario earlier this year at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he also struggled with a leg injury during the final against Alcaraz, who ultimately won 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. The physical demands of best-of-five-set matches on clay, known for its gruelling rallies and sliding movements, have proven a significant challenge for the Italian, who was aiming for his first Grand Slam final.
Alcaraz now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between top seed Jannik Sinner and tennis legend Novak Djokovic, a match that promises to be a blockbuster clash. Sinner, who has won his last three encounters against Djokovic, is looking to reach his first French Open final, while Djokovic, with a record of 101-16 at Roland Garros, aims for his 38th Grand Slam final appearance. Alcaraz, fresher than either of his potential opponents after their likely gruelling semifinal, will be a formidable opponent in the championship match scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025.
The Spaniard’s journey at Roland Garros this year has been a showcase of his versatility and mental toughness. Having previously held the world No. 1 ranking in 2022 and 2023, Alcaraz is no stranger to high-stakes moments. His ability to adapt mid-match, as seen in his comeback against Musetti, highlights why many consider him the favourite to lift the trophy on Sunday.
For Musetti, the semifinal run remains a career highlight despite the disappointing end. Reaching the final four at Roland Garros marks a significant achievement for the Italian, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the clay season. However, his recurring physical struggles against Alcaraz raise questions about his endurance in longer formats, an area he will likely focus on as he prepares for the grass court season.
As the tennis world turns its attention to the upcoming final, Alcaraz’s blend of power, speed, and tactical acumen positions him as a formidable contender. Whether he faces Sinner’s relentless consistency or Djokovic’s unmatched experience, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 French Open.
More Key highlights from Day 13 at Roland-Garros 2025:
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Doubles Finalists: British duo Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski won a thrilling men’s doubles semi-final and will face Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the final.
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Wheelchair Events: Guy Sasson and Niels Vink claimed the quad wheelchair doubles title, and Maximilian Taucher secured his second boys’ wheelchair singles title.
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Upcoming Matches: Jannik Sinner faces Novak Djokovic in the second men’s semi-final, with Djokovic aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
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Recap of Day 12: Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak, and Coco Gauff defeated French wildcard Lois Boisson.
