Paris, June 6 -- Carlos Alcaraz stands one victory away from defending his crown at the French Open after Italy's Lorenzo Musetti retired in the fourth set of their gripping semi-final clash on Friday.

The 22-year-old Spaniard led Musetti 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 when the Italian retired from the match after two hours and 25 minutes. With the scoreline reading 0-5 in the third set, Musetti called the physio to receive treatment on his upper left leg. He continued to struggle and eventually retired from the match.

"It's never great getting through or winning a match like this. 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 cla...