Carlos Alcaraz Storms Into French Open Semi-Finals With Commanding Win Over Tommy Paul

Reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz showcased his dominance with a straight-sets win over 12th seed Tommy Paul to secure his spot in the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

The second seed needed just 53 minutes to race through the first two sets, conceding only a single game. Although Paul pushed harder in the third, Alcaraz, 22, broke at a crucial moment to seal a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory in just over an hour and a half on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Next, the Spaniard will take on Lorenzo Musetti, the eighth seed from Italy, for a place in Sunday’s final.

Earlier on Tuesday, Musetti earned his semi-final berth by defeating American Frances Tiafoe in four sets: 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. This marks the 23-year-old Italian’s second Grand Slam semi-final, following his Wimbledon breakthrough in 2024.

Tiafoe, seeded 15th and the first American man to reach a French Open quarter-final in 22 years, rallied to claim the second set but faded after a demanding third. Musetti’s fluid yet relentless approach ultimately proved too much.

Alcaraz Delivers a Statement Performance

After his match, Alcaraz light-heartedly apologized to fans for the short evening session, which lasted only 94 minutes, but few spectators would have found reason to complain. The world No. 2 delivered a masterclass in shot-making, saying it was “one of those matches where everything was going in.”

Former British number one Greg Rusedski, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, called the performance “magnificent” and described it as a “statement” victory from the defending champion.

Alcaraz had previously needed four sets to overcome each of his last three opponents, but against Paul, he elevated his game several notches. The American, 28, was unable to earn a single break point throughout the match, while Alcaraz created 17 chances and converted six.

Musetti Matures On and Off the Court

While Alcaraz holds a 2–0 record over Musetti on clay this year—beating him in both Monte Carlo and Rome—the Italian has enjoyed an impressive run this clay season, notching 19 wins and only three losses.

Musetti, known for his elegant one-handed backhand and classical playing style, appears to be thriving both personally and professionally. Ahead of his quarter-final, he described this as the happiest time of his life, further sweetened by the recent news that he and his partner Veronica are expecting their second child.

Reflecting on his growth, the Tuscany native credited fatherhood for reshaping his outlook. Since welcoming his son Ludovico in March 2024, he said he’s found a new sense of discipline and balance.

“It’s not just growth on the court, but more importantly off it,” Musetti shared after defeating Tiafoe. “Becoming a father changed my mindset. I take my daily routine and preparation more seriously, and when I’m not on the court, I value my time with my family. Even when they’re not physically here, they’re always with me.”

During the second set against Tiafoe, Musetti received a warning after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball he had kicked away. The incident, while noted, did not result in a harsher penalty as it did not cause serious harm.