In a thrilling quarter-final clash at the Italian Open on May 14, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and reigning French Open champion, showcased his clay-court prowess to defeat British No. 1 Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4, securing his first-ever semi-final berth in Rome. The match, played on the red clay of Foro Italico, was a testament to Alcaraz’s resilience and tactical brilliance, as he overcame a determined challenge from the in-form Draper, who had been a standout on the European clay swing. This victory not only avenged Alcaraz’s loss to Draper at Indian Wells earlier this year but also solidified his position as the No. 2 seed for the upcoming French Open, ensuring he avoids a potential semi-final showdown with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, known for his explosive movement and versatile shot-making, entered the match with a 3-2 head-to-head lead over Draper, though the Brit had claimed their most recent encounter in the Indian Wells semi-finals. Draper, ranked No. 5 and fresh off a Madrid Open final appearance, started strongly, breaking Alcaraz’s serve to lead 4-2 in the first set, capitalizing on a rare double fault. However, Alcaraz, unfazed, roared back with a four-game surge, leveraging his powerful forehand and deft drop shots to seize the set. “I think the most important thing was not thinking if I was up or down,” Alcaraz reflected post-match. “I was doing the things which make me happy on court—trying to play aggressive, hitting good shots, drop shots, going to the net. That’s what I like to do and that made the difference today.”
The second set was a grueling affair, with Draper applying relentless pressure on Alcaraz’s serve, earning break points in six of the Spaniard’s ten service games across the match. Despite converting only two of eight break-point opportunities, Draper’s physicality and improved clay-court game—honed through a season that saw him double his career clay wins—kept Alcaraz on edge. A critical moment came in the eighth game of the second set, a 10-minute battle where Alcaraz saved two break points with an ace and a blistering forehand winner. “I played with such a high rhythm during the whole match and didn’t let him dominate in the rallies,” Alcaraz noted, highlighting his strategy to dictate play. Draper’s failure to convert those chances shifted the momentum, and Alcaraz pounced, breaking to love in the ninth game with a perfectly disguised drop shot before serving out the match with confidence.
For Draper, the defeat marked the end of a remarkable clay campaign, having reached the Madrid final and Rome quarter-finals. “Carlos was better tactically and emotionally than me,” Draper admitted, acknowledging Alcaraz’s superior handling of pressure points. Despite the loss, Draper’s performance underscored his meteoric rise, with a potential top-four ranking within reach had he won. His improved durability, a focus after past injury struggles, was evident as he battled back from a set down in previous rounds, including a gritty win over Corentin Moutet.
Alcaraz’s victory, his 28th of the season, marked his 75th ATP Masters 1000 win, making him the third-fastest to reach that milestone after Rafael Nadal and Stefan Edberg. With 24 winners to Draper’s eight, Alcaraz’s flair was undeniable, though his 29 unforced errors and 61% first-serve percentage revealed areas for refinement. “I’m happy to be feeling in a good rhythm again on clay in Rome. This match gave me a lot of confidence,” he said, referencing his recovery from a recent adductor injury that sidelined him in Madrid.
As Alcaraz advances to face either defending champion Alexander Zverev or home favorite Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals, his Rome run positions him as a formidable contender for a maiden Italian Open title. For Draper, the focus shifts to Roland Garros, where his first-round exit last year offers a chance to gain significant ranking points. This quarter-final clash, far from routine, highlighted the intensity and promise of two of tennis’s brightest stars, setting the stage for an electrifying French Open.
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