In the heart of Rome’s Foro Italico, the 2025 Italian Open has set the stage for a blockbuster men’s semifinal clash between Italy’s own Lorenzo Musetti and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and four-time Grand Slam champion. Musetti, the 23-year-old home favorite, has electrified the local crowd with his dazzling run to the last four, and he believes the “magnificent” support from the Roman faithful could be the decisive factor in his quest to upset Alcaraz. As the two prepare to face off on May 16, Musetti’s confidence, fueled by his clay-court prowess and the roaring Italian crowd, promises a match brimming with drama and intensity.
Musetti’s journey to the semifinals has been a testament to his growing stature on the ATP Tour, particularly on clay, where he has now reached three consecutive Masters 1000 semifinals in 2025—Monte Carlo, Madrid, and now Rome. His campaign began with commanding straight-set victories over Finland’s Otto Virtanen and American Brandon Nakashima, showcasing his fluid movement and signature one-handed backhand. In the fourth round, he secured a milestone win, defeating former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev for the first time in their head-to-head, a 6-4, 6-3 triumph that sent the Foro Italico into a frenzy. The quarterfinals pitted him against defending champion Alexander Zverev, the world No. 2, in a two-hour, 15-minute battle. Musetti’s resilience shone through as he saved four set points in a first-set tiebreak, clinching it 7-1, before sealing a 7-6(1), 6-4 victory with a stunning backhand passing shot. “Full crowd, full stadium, and that’s a big advantage,” Musetti said after the match, his eyes gleaming with anticipation for the semifinal. “All this week there has been incredible support from the fans.”
Alcaraz, meanwhile, has been a force of nature on clay this season, boasting a 16-1 record since the 2024 French Open, with his only loss to Novak Djokovic in the Olympic final. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off a Monte Carlo Masters title in April, navigated a challenging path to the Rome semifinals. He dispatched Dusan Lajovic (6-3, 6-3), Laslo Djere (7-6, 6-2), and Karen Khachanov (6-3, 3-6, 7-5) before exacting revenge on world No. 5 Jack Draper in the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win, avenging a prior loss at Indian Wells. Alcaraz’s blend of blistering pace, deft drop shots, and relentless energy has made him a formidable opponent, but Musetti’s recent form and home-court advantage pose a unique challenge. “It’s been a really difficult week with a lot of difficult situations,” Alcaraz said earlier this season, reflecting on his ability to overcome adversity, a trait that will be tested against Musetti’s inspired play.
The head-to-head record favors Alcaraz, who leads 4-1, with Musetti’s sole victory coming in the 2022 Hamburg final, a grueling 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 battle that marked his first ATP title. Since then, Alcaraz has dominated, including a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 rout in the 2025 Monte Carlo final, where Musetti, hampered by a leg injury, faded in the third set. “I was feeling the ball really well,” Musetti said of that match, “but physically I was struggling.” Now, fully fit and buoyed by a raucous Italian crowd, he aims to channel the magic of Hamburg, where his spin-heavy game and daring shot-making outfoxed Alcaraz’s power. Musetti’s 20 drop shots against Zverev, 15 of which he won, signal his intent to disrupt Alcaraz’s rhythm with variety and finesse.
Musetti’s clay-court credentials are undeniable. With a 22-4 record on the surface in 2025, he has etched his name in history as the first Italian to reach the quarterfinals of all three clay Masters 1000 events in a single season. His bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a 2023 Monte Carlo upset over Djokovic further underscore his red-dirt prowess. At world No. 9, Musetti is on the cusp of a top-10 debut, a goal he admitted fuels his ambition: “The Top 10 is not there yet, but we are close enough to keep fighting.” Alcaraz, however, is no stranger to high-pressure moments, and his 78% first-serve accuracy in Monte Carlo’s second set against Musetti highlights his ability to elevate his game when it matters most.
The Rome crowd, described by Musetti as a “big advantage,” could tilt the scales in a match expected to be tightly contested. Alcaraz’s serve, less reliable in recent matches, and Musetti’s 37% break-point conversion rate on clay suggest opportunities for the Italian to capitalize. Yet, Alcaraz’s ability to “take the chances,” as he did against Draper, makes him the slight favorite. For Musetti, a victory would not only secure a spot in the final but also cement his status as Italy’s next tennis icon, following in the footsteps of Jannik Sinner, who is absent due to a three-month suspension.
As the Foro Italico prepares for this electrifying semifinal, Musetti carries the hopes of a nation, his one-handed backhand and fearless spirit ready to challenge Alcaraz’s relentless drive. Will the Roman crowd propel him to a historic upset, or will Alcaraz’s clay-court dominance prevail? One thing is certain: this clash will be a spectacle of skill, passion, and heart.
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