Alcaraz advance into the quarterfinals by defeating Musetti

The world’s top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz crushed Italian Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the French Open.

The 20-year-old Spaniard will next play either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Sebastian Ofner, with a potential mouth-watering semifinal matchup against Novak Djokovic looming. His first round at Roland Garros last year ended in the last eight.

According to the numbers, Musetti had everything he needed to intimidate Alcaraz: the touch, a great backhand, and a win in their lone meeting on clay. But the Italian had nothing to worry his opponent about on the court.

The 17th seed, who was also tortured at the net on Court Philippe Chatrier, was way outmatched by Alcaraz’s firepower and tenacity.

In front of his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who won the Musketeers Cup 20 years ago, Alcaraz remarked, “I had a high quality of shots, I played really aggressive and he played a complete match from the first point to the last so I’m happy to be through to the next round.”

“I try not to think about being the best in the world or the pressure. All these things, I keep them out of my mind. I just want to have fun, amuse the crowd, and smile.