Alcaraz sets up Italian Open semi clash with Musetti

ROME: Carlos Alcaraz set up a semi-final meeting with Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open on Wednesday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jack Draper in the last eight.

Third seed Alcaraz produced what he called one of his best displays of the season to book a last four date with the man he beat in Monte Carlo last month. The Spaniard’s impressive win over Draper kept alive his chances of a third title of the season and also moved him up to number two in the world rankings behind Jannik Sinner. “I lost focus a little bit in the second set but it wasn’t (for) too long, so it was pretty good,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner in search of a first Rome crown.

“Probably it was one of the most complete matches that I played this year. “ Alcaraz had to be at his best to down fifth seed Draper, who put in another strong showing on clay in Italy after losing the Madrid Open final to Casper Ruud.

The Briton lost control of the first set when, after taking a two-game lead, he was broken twice by Alcaraz who then took the lead in the match. And Alcaraz made sure of victory by breaking Draper to love to go 5-4 ahead in the second set before serving out the match.

The day’s final match saw current world number two and defending champion Zverev lose his Rome crown in addition to his ranking as he went down to home hope Musetti 7-6 (7/1), 6-4. After trading breaks earlier in the set, Zverev looked set to seal the opener after breaking Musetti at 5-5 and then leading on his next service game 40-0. But the Italian improbably saved four set points to force a tiebreak, which he swept 7-1 in front of a raucous centre court.

An angered Zverev argued with the umpire in the second set but kept his cool on the court until 4-4. The German had looked the more likely to make a breakthrough until the ninth game when a stunning backhand passing shot give Musetti break point, which he duly converted before holding to 30 to reach his third semi of the year on clay.

Ruud’s attempt at a Madrid and Rome double has a Sinner-shaped obstacle in its way after the world number seven won his postponed match with Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals where he will face the top seed on Thursday.