In the sun-drenched arena of Rome’s Foro Italico, Carlos Alcaraz delivered a masterclass in resilience and flair, defeating British No. 1 Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 Italian Open. The victory, a testament to the Spaniard’s relentless aggression and tactical brilliance, not only secured his place in the final four but also saw him eclipse a significant record previously held by World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. At just 22, Alcaraz has now reached his 11th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, surpassing Sinner’s mark of 10 for the most by any player born since 2000, cementing his status as a generational talent on the clay courts of Rome.
The quarter-final clash with Draper, ranked No. 5, was a high-stakes rematch of their Indian Wells semi-final in March, where Draper had triumphed en route to his maiden Masters 1000 title. Alcaraz, however, was a different beast on the red clay, a surface where he’s 12-1 this season. “I never doubted he would be at the very top of the game,” Alcaraz said post-match, acknowledging Draper’s meteoric rise. The Brit, fresh off a Madrid Open final appearance, started strong, breaking Alcaraz’s serve to lead 4-2 in the first set, capitalizing on a rare double fault. But Alcaraz, wearing a long black brace on his right leg due to a recent adductor injury, refused to falter. “I was doing the things which make me happy on court—trying to play aggressive, hitting good shots, drop shots, going to the net,” he explained, describing the approach that turned the tide.
The Spaniard’s drop shots proved decisive, disrupting Draper’s rhythm and forcing errors. Alcaraz reeled off three consecutive games to snatch the first set, showcasing his ability to shift momentum. The second set was a tighter affair, with Draper creating eight break point opportunities—twice as many as Alcaraz—but converting only two. “I played with such a high rhythm during the whole match and didn’t let him dominate in the rallies,” Alcaraz noted, highlighting his defensive prowess. In a critical 10-minute game at 4-4, he saved two break points, then broke Draper to love, sealing the match in 97 minutes with a commanding serve.
This victory marks Alcaraz’s first Italian Open semi-final, a milestone in his second appearance at the tournament. Last year, a right forearm issue led to a third-round exit, but his 2025 clay campaign—bolstered by a Monte Carlo Masters title—has been near flawless. His 65.6% win rate against ATP top-five opponents, second only to Bjorn Borg since 1973, underscores his dominance. “I’m happy to be feeling in a good rhythm again on clay in Rome,” Alcaraz said, his confidence palpable as he eyes a third title this season and a top-two seeding at the French Open, which begins May 25.
Draper, despite the loss, has much to celebrate. His season, highlighted by titles in Indian Wells and Vienna, has propelled him to the cusp of the top four. “Carlos was better tactically and emotionally than me,” he admitted, reflecting on the match’s intensity. Sinner, meanwhile, remains in the hunt, facing Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. The Italian, who praised Draper’s consistency, continues his quest to become the first Italian man to win Rome since 1976, undeterred by a three-month doping ban that ended in April.
Alcaraz’s next challenge is a semi-final showdown with Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, who upset defending champion Alexander Zverev. “It’s a shame I got injured just after Barcelona, but you just have to accept it, keep going, and recover as fast as I can,” Alcaraz said, referencing the leg ailment that forced his Madrid withdrawal. His ability to play through fatigue, as seen in his grueling 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win over Karen Khachanov in the previous round, speaks to his mental fortitude. “Physically, I was struggling a little bit,” he admitted then, but his focus on “fighting for every ball” has carried him forward.
As Rome’s clay courts witness the rise of a new era, Alcaraz’s record-breaking run signals his intent to dominate. With Sinner and Draper pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the ATP Tour is a battleground of young titans. For now, Alcaraz stands tall, his drop shots and infectious joy redefining the game—one rally at a time.
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