Carlos Alcaraz saved his Roman title dream alive with a assured 6-4, 6-4 win over Jack Draper on Wednesday, reserving a semi-final conflict towards Lorenzo Musetti — whereas Aryna Sabalenka’s clay-court run floor to a halt towards Zheng Qinwen.
The Spaniard, seeded third, known as it “one of the most complete matches” of his season as he subdued fifth-seeded Draper in a baseline battle of grit and aptitude. The win additionally vaulted Alcaraz again to No. 2 within the ATP rankings, overtaking Alexander Zverev.
“I lost focus a little bit in the second set, but not for long. It was a pretty good match,” mentioned the 21-year-old, who’s eyeing his first-ever Rome title and third crown of 2025.
After a sluggish begin, Alcaraz responded to an early 2-0 deficit by breaking Draper twice to grab the primary set. In the second, he broke to like for a 5-4 lead, then calmly served out the match.
He’ll now face Musetti, the Italian crowd favourite, who shocked defending champion Zverev 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 beneath the lights on Centre Court.
Zverev, who had gained their two earlier conferences, appeared on target to take the primary set after breaking Musetti at 5-5 and reaching 40-0. But the 22-year-old from Carrara saved 4 set factors, pressured a tiebreak, after which steamrolled it.
The second set stayed tight till Musetti cracked it open at 4-4 with a screaming backhand to arrange break level — which he transformed — earlier than closing out the match to succeed in his third semi-final of the clay swing.
“I felt the adrenaline from the first point,” mentioned Musetti. “I had to fight my way into the match, but once I found my rhythm, I never let go.”
Zverev not solely misplaced his title but additionally his No. 2 world rating to Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s title hopes have been dashed by China’s Zheng Qinwen in a 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final upset that noticed the eighth seed beat the Belarusian for the primary time in seven tries.
Zheng took management halfway by means of the opening set and by no means appeared again. After breaking Sabalenka’s serve early within the second, she held agency — with no break factors conceded — and sealed her first semi-final of the season.
“It feels amazing. I struggled with my arm earlier in the year, so to be healthy now and playing this well is great,” mentioned Zheng.
She will subsequent face Coco Gauff, who beat Mirra Andreeva 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in a match the place her pace and serve saved her one step forward.
The 21-year-old American has now locked up the No. 2 spot within the WTA rankings, whatever the final result in Rome. She’s but to win a title this yr, however along with her sights set on Roland Garros, momentum is constructing.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence right now,” mentioned Gauff, who owns a 2-0 file towards Zheng. “I’m simply taking it one match at a time.”
Casper Ruud, contemporary off his Madrid title, superior to the lads’s quarter-finals after a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jaume Munar. But subsequent, he faces the top-seeded Jannik Sinner — a possible roadblock in his Rome run.
Source: www.dailysabah.com