Carlos Alcaraz is in the final in Rome. © ANSA / ANSA/FABIO FRUSTACI

Musetti out – Alcaraz stops hopes of Italian final

Lorenzo Musetti missed the final of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. The Azzurro lost to world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the semifinals, ending hopes of an all-Italian final.

16 May 2025

From: do

The hoped-for Italian final in Rome has been dashed. While Jannik Sinner will face Tommy Paul in the semifinals on Friday evening at 20.30:23 p.m., Lorenzo Musetti suffered a defeat to Carlos Alcaraz this afternoon. The 10-year-old, who had recently broken into the top 2.04 of the ATP world rankings for the first time with his strong form, found no answer against the Spaniard and lost 6-3, 7-6(4) after XNUMX hours and XNUMX minutes.

Until his clash with Alcaraz, Musetti hadn't dropped a set at the Italian Open. But he fell behind early against the world No. 3. Alcaraz started furiously, dominating with powerful topspin shots and forcing Musetti into numerous errors. The Italian's serve, in particular, was shaky – he suffered three breaks in the first set.

Musetti improves

In the second set, things initially seemed to be turning. Both players struggled to hold their serve. After three consecutive breaks, Musetti finally found his rhythm and took a break to take the lead.

Musetti tried everything. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

But Alcaraz then showed why he's among the absolute world elite. He increased the pressure, won the break, and forced Musetti back onto the defensive. The Azzurro increasingly lost his nerve: He slammed his racket on the ground, shouted at his team in the stands, telling them to keep quiet, and in frustration, slammed a ball into the air—which earned him a penalty point.

Although the hotshot managed to make it to the tiebreak, Alcaraz held on to win the semifinals. Thus, the dream of an all-Italian final at the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome was shattered.