Carlos Alcaraz believes winning the second set of his French Open semi-final was the turning point that allowed him to "see more clearly".

Alcaraz will defend his French Open title in Sunday's showpiece after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire through injury in their semi-final.

The Italian had looked set to push Alcaraz all the way on Friday but ultimately was unable to continue in the fourth set when he was 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 down.

The Spaniard now has 70 victories at grand slams, in 82 matches. Only Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe (81 each) have brought up 70 wins in fewer matches.

Alcaraz will play in his fifth grand slam final on Sunday, having reached at least one showpiece in four successive seasons, but he admitted he had to dig deep for Friday's win.

"The first two sets were really tough," said Alcaraz. "I had chances to break his serve in the match. I couldn't make the most of them.

"He was playing great tennis. When I won the second set, there was a little bit of relief, and then in the third set, I knew what I had to do at the beginning: Just push him to the limit and try to be aggressive. Not let him dominate the game more and just be myself.

"I was calmer. I could see more clearly and could play great tennis at the beginning of the third set."

Final bound

Carlos Alcaraz advances after Musetti is forced to retire due to injury 4-6 7-6(3) 6-0 2-0.@rolandgarros | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/C9ttaaZ9RM

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 6, 2025

Alcaraz also beat Musetti in the Monte-Carlo Masters final in April, when the Italian limped through the final stages of the match, hampered by a muscle injury.

Musetti has now lost his last three meetings with Alcaraz, though he came out firing in his latest bid to reach a maiden grand slam final.

However, he left disappointed that he was unable to see out the contest after receiving treatment on his thigh.

"I'm really sad and disappointed how it ended, but still a great match," said Musetti.

"I felt at the beginning of the third when I was serving, I started losing a little bit of strength on the left leg behind, and definitely was going worse and worse, so I decided to stop.

"I think it was the right decision to make, even if it was not what I wanted. I will do exams, and I will, of course, see and evaluate the situation."

And Alcaraz also sympathised with Musetti.

"It's never great getting through or winning a match like this," said Alcaraz. "Lorenzo is a great player. He has had an incredible clay season.

"[He is] one of the few players who achieved at least the semi-finals at all the biggest events on clay. I think just four players had done that before…

"I always wish him all the best, a quick recovery, and hopefully we are going to enjoy his tennis pretty soon."