Alcaraz beats Musetti, enters Italian Open final and potential Sinner showdown

Carlos Alcaraz set up a potential blockbuster Italian Open final with Jannik Sinner after coming through Friday’s semi-final with home hope Lorenzo Musetti a straight-sets winner, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).

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Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz overcame Musetti and windy conditions in just over two hours to reach his fourth final of the season ahead of the French Open which gets underway later this month.

Alcaraz now awaits the result of Sinner’s last-four clash with Tommy Paul to see if he will get the showdown tennis fans around the world want to see.

"Both players are playing great. Everybody saw the game against Casper," said Alcaraz, who might again have to face down a partisan centre court crowd on Sunday.

"Let's see. If I'm going to play against Tommy Paul, I have to be ready for that. If I play against Jannik, I have to be ready for that battle, and obviously deal with the crowd."

World number one Sinner is red-hot favourite to beat American Paul after dumping out Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud on Thursday with an astonishing display of tennis.

But Musetti said that he believes an in-form Alcaraz would have the better of it against Sinner if his compatriot does reach the final.