Italian Open: Alcaraz and Sinner Secure Semifinal Berths

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jack Draper to reach Italian Open semifinals, while Jannik Sinner sets up quarterfinal match with Casper Ruud.

Carlos Alcaraz powered his way into the Italian Open semifinals with a convincing straight-sets win over Jack Draper, 6-4, 6-4.

As the third seed, Alcaraz will now await the winner of the match between reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev and Italian hope Lorenzo Musetti, which will determine his semifinal opponent.

The win kept alive Alcaraz's chances of securing a third title this season and propelled him to number two in the world rankings, behind Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz also secured a top-two seeding at the upcoming French Open. “The most important thing that I did today was not thinking about the result at all,” Alcaraz said. “Not thinking about if I was up, if I was down. Just trying to do the things that make me happy on court, just trying to play aggressive, hitting good shots, drop shots, go to the net. That's what I like to do on the court, and I think that made the difference today.”

Alcaraz had to be at his best to down fifth seed Draper, who put in another strong showing on clay in Italy after losing the Madrid Open final to Casper Ruud.

Carlos Alcaraz gets one of his best wins of the year, defeats world #5 Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Rome semifinals for the 1st time.

11th ATP M1000 semifinal - ties coach Ferrero

He will be world #2 on Monday and 2nd seed in Paris -- so no Alcaraz-Sinner before the final. pic.twitter.com/AcWmpXTjO7

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 14, 2025

Draper was trying to become the first British man to reach the last four in the Italian capital since 2016, when Andy Murray was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the final.

Draper initially took control, leading by two games, but Alcaraz fought back, getting broken back didn't happen as Alcaraz broke Draper twice to take the lead in the match.

In the second set, Alcaraz navigated a tense eighth game, saving two break points before finally breaking Draper to love. This put him 5-4 up, and he sealed the win by serving out the match successfully.

Ruud's attempt at a Madrid and Rome double has a Sinner-shaped obstacle in its way after the world number seven won his postponed match with Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-4.

Sixth seed Ruud was supposed to play on Tuesday, but an afternoon downpour forced his match to be moved back a day, and he convincingly secured a quarter-final date with Sinner.

“It was a little bit tough, you're waiting all day yesterday to try to play and you don't get on... I'm proud of the way I handled it,” said Ruud, who has won more matches on clay than any other player on the men's tour in the last five years.