In the heart of Rome’s Foro Italico, where the clay courts shimmer under the Italian sun, Carlos Alcaraz delivered a performance of grit and artistry to defeat Britain’s Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4 in the 2025 Italian Open quarter-finals. The 22-year-old Spaniard, ranked No. 3, not only secured his first semi-final berth at this prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event but also surpassed Jannik Sinner’s record for the most Masters 1000 semi-finals by a player born since 2000, reaching his 11th. Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz shared the mindset that turned the tide against a formidable opponent, emphasizing his focus on joy and aggression as the keys to his triumph.
The match was a rematch of a heated Indian Wells semi-final in March, where Draper had bested Alcaraz en route to his maiden Masters 1000 title. This time, Alcaraz was determined to flip the script on clay, a surface where he boasts a 12-1 record this season. “I just tried not to think it was a really important match,” Alcaraz said, revealing his approach to managing pressure. “It was just trying to go there, trying to enjoy playing that match and not think about the results at all.” This mental shift proved crucial as Draper, ranked No. 5, surged to a 4-2 lead in the first set, exploiting a rare Alcaraz double fault. Yet, the Spaniard rallied, unleashing a barrage of 24 winners, including deft drop shots that kept Draper off balance. “I was doing the things which make me happy on court—trying to play aggressive, hitting good shots, drop shots, go to the net,” he explained, highlighting the tactics that swung the momentum.
Alcaraz’s high-octane rhythm was the difference-maker. “I played with such a high rhythm during the whole match that I didn’t let him dominate in the rallies,” he noted, a strategy that neutralized Draper’s powerful forehand, which had been a weapon in their prior encounters. The second set saw Draper fight back, creating eight break point opportunities—twice as many as Alcaraz—but converting only two. A grueling 10-minute game at 4-4, where Alcaraz saved two break points, proved pivotal. He then broke Draper to love, sealing the match with a well-disguised drop shot that left the Brit stranded. “It was a good weapon for me, and I’m really proud how I approached the match,” Alcaraz said, crediting his relentless pace and variety for the 97-minute victory.
This win was more than a personal triumph; it propelled Alcaraz to No. 2 in the ATP rankings, overtaking Alexander Zverev and securing a top-two seed at the French Open, starting May 25. “I think it’s great being second seed in Roland Garros, knowing that I’m going to not see Jannik before the final, if I reach it,” he said, eyeing a potential clash with the World No. 1. His clay season, marred by an adductor injury that forced a Madrid withdrawal, has been a testament to resilience. “I started the clay season really well. It was a shame that I got injured after Barcelona, but you just have to accept it, keep going, and recover as fast as I can,” he reflected. Victories in Monte Carlo and a final in Barcelona underscore his dominance, with Rome now boosting his confidence. “I’m just happy to be feeling a good rhythm, a good tennis here on clay in Rome,” he added, noting the match’s significance for his French Open preparations.
Draper, despite the loss, remains a rising force, with his Madrid final and Rome quarter-final doubling his career clay wins. “Carlos was better tactically and emotionally than me,” he admitted, acknowledging Alcaraz’s edge in the clutch moments. As Alcaraz prepares to face Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals, the tennis world marvels at his ability to blend youthful exuberance with tactical maturity. “I just feel like I’m playing great tennis on clay,” he declared, a statement that resonates as he chases his first Rome crown and a third title of 2025. With his drop shots dancing and his spirit soaring, Alcaraz is rewriting the script of his rivalry with Draper, one joyful rally at a time.
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