Carlos Alcaraz has dismissed being the favourite for the Roland Garros title after he reached the final in Rome.
The Spaniard produced another impressive performance to defeat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 7-6(4) to reach his first final in the Italian city.
After a dominant opening set, Musetti produced a better reaction in the second set but Alcaraz proved to be too strong as he reached the final.
Reflecting on his win Alcaraz admitted he is trying to improve his decision-making but acknowledged that he did pretty well against Musetti, “Sometimes is difficult to choose the right decision,” the Spaniard explained in his press conference.
“But I’m trying to improve that part of my game, as well, trying not to think too much and do the right things always, even though if it is not the brilliant shot or the brilliant decision. Depends on the day, as well. Days like today with a lot of wind, it’s always difficult to hit the ball clear.
“You have to go to the smart decision just trying to be patient, trying to wait your chances. If the points or the rally goes to 10, 12, 13 shots, you have to be ready for that battle. You have to be ready for that and try to wait until you can go aggressively.
“Sometimes is difficult, but I think today I did it pretty well.”
The soon to be world number two was praised by his Italian opponent after the contest after Musetti labelled Alcaraz as the favourite for the title at Roland Garros later this month.
However, the Spaniard has dismissed those claims and is just focused on one day at a time, “The thoughts of him that I’m the favourite of Roland Garros, it is great that someone like Lorenzo who is top 10 seeing myself as the favourite of Roland Garros,” Alcaraz stated.
“I say so many times, I don’t want to think about it. All I can say is I’m feeling great. I have a lot of confidence right now. Yes, I would love to go to Roland Garros and try to enjoy the tournament and being in Paris.”
The final challenge on Sunday for Alcaraz will be either world number one Jannik Sinner or Tommy Paul.
Although Alcaraz has been impressive so far, the Spaniard believes he is not at his best just yet, “Well, I always say that you can be better,” the defending Roland Garros observed.
“Obviously I’ve been trying to improve after every day, after every match, after every practice. I think is an opportunity to be better, to improve. I’m going to say I’m ready for that final. I’m excited to play my first final here in Rome. I have a lot of confidence. I know that I’m feeling great, I’m playing great tennis. Always can be better. Hopefully in the final I’m going to approach the match in the right way and play even better.
“But right now I’m really happy with the level that I’m playing and I made improvement since the beginning of the tournament.”
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head against both players heading into Sunday’s showdown.
