PARIS: Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the French Open final as Lorenzo Musetti retired injured while trailing from their last-four tie on Friday. World number two Alcaraz was leading 4-6, 7-6(7/3), 6-0, 2-0 in the fourth set under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof when Italian Musetti called it quits due to an apparent thigh injury. “It’s never great to go through like this,” Alcaraz said, before hailing Musetti’s achievement of reaching at least the semi-finals of all four elite claycourt events this year. “He’s a great player, he has had an incredible claycourt season ... I wish him a speedy recovery and I’m sure we’ll be enjoying his tennis pretty soon.” Musetti The 22-year-old Alcaraz — who has never lost a Grand Slam final — will aim to win his fifth Grand Slam title against either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic, who meet in the second semi-final. Alcaraz said he would tune into the second semi-final on Court Philippe Chatrier to study his potential opponents. “I’m not going to miss this match, it’s one of the best we can have right now, Sinner against Djokovic,” he said. “I’m going to watch it and enjoy it and take tactics from the match.” Alcaraz beat Sinner in five sets in last year’s semi-finals, but has lost both of his meetings with Djokovic at Roland Garros — in the 2023 semis and last year’s Paris Olympics final.“I’m feeling great physically. It’s been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take,” Alcaraz said. “I’m playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I’ve been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100% in the final.” Musetti saved break points in the first and seventh games before grabbing a one-set lead with a break in the 10th game. The duo traded breaks early in the second set, before Alcaraz secured a chance to serve it out and level the match. Instead, he was broken to 15 as Musetti produced some inspired shot-making to force a tie-break. The Spaniard raced through the breaker, though, taking his third set point when Musetti fired an attempted passing shot into the net. Alcaraz continued that momentum into the third, striking quickly to open up a 2-0 lead. Musetti could not deal with the power coming from the other side of the net and briefly received treatment on his left thigh. Alcaraz went on to romp through the set, in which eighth seed Musetti mustered only five points, in just 22 minutes. Musetti surrendered another break early in the fourth set as Alcaraz thumped a forehand return into the corner, and the 23-year-old immediately headed to the net to shake his opponent’s hand. “The first two sets were tough. I had chances to be up in the match but couldn’t make the most of them,” Alcaraz added. “When I won the second set, I was relieved and I knew that I needed to be aggressive and be myself. I was calmer. I could see clearer and I could play great tennis at the start of the third. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2025