Carlos Alcaraz takes effect at the ATP Masters in Rome after his third title of the season.
The Spaniard, who will jump past Alexander Zverev again on Monday, defeated the Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 4) and reached the final in the Foro Italico for the first time. Musetti had eliminated Germany’s number one Zverev in the quarterfinals.
Against Musetti, Alcaraz confidently secured the first set after an early break. In the second round, the local hero showed more resistance, fended off a match ball at 5: 6 – and then had to surrender to the tie -break.
Alcaraz could meet Sinner in the final
In Rome there could now be a dream final between Alcaraz and tour dominator Jannik Sinner. The South Tyrolean, which gives its comeback in the Italian capital after three months of doping lock, will meet the American Tommy Paul in the second semi-finals (from 8.30 p.m. in the live ticker).
Alcaraz had already won the Hartplatz tournament in Rotterdam and the clay court Masters in Monte Carlo this year, and in Rome he will also be presented in top constitution shortly before the start of the French Open (from May 25). In Paris, the 22-year-old starts as a defending champion.