\n<\/p>\n
Alcaraz, as he has done for most of the week, made a wayward start.<\/p>\n
An early break lead was cancelled out by Musetti, who reeled off four games in a row as Alcaraz sprayed errors off his forehand. <\/p>\n
Musetti’s accuracy won out over his opponent’s pacy hitting, with the Italian clinching the set on an outrageous drop-shot winner from behind the baseline.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz hit 14 unforced errors in the first set, 11 off the forehand alone, but settled quickly into the second.<\/p>\n
A roar of “vamos” greeted a missed Musetti forehand that handed Alcaraz the break lead, with the Spaniard moving around the court with more conviction and asking the crowd for appreciation after hitting a superb backhand winner.<\/p>\n
He won five games in a row but Musetti had a glimmer of a chance. He created five break-back points as Alcaraz served for the set, but the second seed saved them all, ultimately closing out an eight-minute game to force a deciding third set.<\/p>\n
That was barely competitive, though, as Musetti was hindered by a right thigh injury, needing treatment after going 3-0 down, and could barely move.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz promptly whizzed through the set, raising his arms in celebration before consoling Musetti.<\/p>\n
The victory also means Alcaraz will replace Germany’s Alexander Zverev as world number two when the rankings are updated on Monday.<\/p>\n
Later, British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool were beaten 1-6 7-6 (10-8) 10-8 in the men’s doubles final by home favourite Romain Arneodo and France’s Manuel Guinard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n