Carlos Alcaraz secured a thrilling victory to reach the Italian Open semifinals, setting up a clash with Lorenzo Musetti, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat to Danielle Collins on May 14, 2025, in Rome. The tournament, a key clay-court event before Roland Garros, continues to deliver high-stakes drama on the ATP and WTA tours.
Alcaraz, the world number 3 and 2023 champion, defeated Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in a two-hour, 45-minute quarterfinal, converting 4 of 7 break points and firing 10 aces. The 21-year-old Spaniard, with 15 career titles, showcased his clay-court prowess, improving his Rome record to 12-2. Musetti, ranked 18, upset fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4, leveraging 80% first-serve points and 20 winners. The Italian, 23, seeks his first ATP 1000 final, having won 70% of his 2025 clay matches. Their semifinal, Alcaraz’s third in Rome, is a rematch of their 2024 Barcelona quarterfinal, which Alcaraz won 6-2, 6-4.
Sabalenka, ranked 2, fell 6-3, 7-6(3) to Collins, the 15th seed, who capitalized on 5 of 8 break points and a 90% second-serve return rate. The Belarusian, a 2024 finalist, struggled with 25 unforced errors, ending her bid for a second Rome title. Collins, 31, advances to her second WTA 1000 semifinal of 2025, with a 65% win rate on clay. The women’s semifinals pit Collins against Iga Swiatek, who defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2, maintaining her 15-match Rome winning streak.
The Italian Open, with €8 million in prize money, draws 200,000 spectators annually, boosting Rome’s €2 billion tourism economy. Alcaraz, favored at 2/1 odds for Roland Garros, faces pressure to reclaim form after a 2024 wrist injury, while Musetti’s 30% home crowd support adds intensity. Sabalenka’s exit shifts focus to Swiatek, who leads the WTA with 4 titles in 2025. The men’s semifinals, including Zverev vs. Paul, conclude May 16, with finals set for May 18.