Third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the semi-finals of the Italian Open for the first time after defeating British player Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4. Despite a shaky start where he found himself down 4-2 in the opening set, Alcaraz bounced back with 24 winners and demonstrated his aggressive playstyle throughout the match.
Post-match, Alcaraz emphasized the importance of staying mentally focused and enjoying his game, stating, “The most important thing that I did today was not thinking about the results at all.” He felt proud of his approach, consistently pushing the pace and minimizing Draper’s chances to dominate.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face either defending champion Alexander Zverev or local favorite Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals, as he prepares for the upcoming French Open where he aims to defend his title.
In women’s singles, world number three Coco Gauff also secured her spot in the semi-finals after defeating seventh seed Mirra Andreeva 6-4, 7-6(5). Gauff’s victory followed strong performances throughout the tournament, where she has only dropped one set in five matches. This marks her second consecutive year reaching the semifinals in Rome, showcasing her form and readiness as she competes against either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or eighth seed Zheng Qinwen next.
Both players’ performances reflect their growing confidence and skill as they head into pivotal matches in their respective tournaments. Their journeys echo a hopeful narrative for tennis fans as they aim for success in the upcoming Grand Slam events.
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