Alcaraz sets up semi with Musetti

Carlos Alcaraz set up a semifinal meeting with Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open on Wednesday with a 6-4, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Jack Draper.

Third seed Alcaraz produced what he called one of his best displays of the season to book a semifinal 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 No 2 in the world rankings behind Italian 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.

"Probably, it was one of the most complete matches that I played this year."

Alcaraz, in search of a first Rome crown, had to be at his best to down fifth seed Draper, who put in another strong showing on clay 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.

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 No 2 and defending champion Alexander Zverev lose his Rome crown in addition to his ranking, as he went down to home hope Musetti 7-6 (1), 6-4.

After trading breaks earlier in the set, Zverev looked likely 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 center 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 No 7 won his rain-postponed match with Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals where he will face the top seed on Thursday.

AFP