Carlos Alcaraz achieves new career milestone after beating Jack Draper in Rome

Alcaraz takes sweet revenge from Jack Draper after beating him in the Italian Open quaterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz achieve new career milestone after beating Jack Draper in Rome
Carlos Alcaraz achieve new career milestone after beating Jack Draper in Rome

Carlos Alcaraz achieved a new career milestone after beating Jack Draper in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open.

According to Tennis365, Spanish tennis star qualified for the semifinals after defeating world No.5 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court at the Foro Italico, Rome, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Following the win, the four-time Grand Slam champion will now rise from No. 3 to No. 2 ahead of the French Open when the new rankings come out next Monday, while Alexander Zverev will dip from No. 2 to No. 3.

This means that Alcaraz will be world No. 2 at Roland Garros and cannot play guaranteed No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner until the final in Paris.

It is worth noting the 22-year-old will also become the first man born in the 2000s to reach the quarter-finals of every single Masters 1000 event.

Carlos Alcaraz on new ranking boost

Alcaraz, after winning the match, said, “I think the most important thing I did today was not thinking about the result. Not thinking if I was up or down, just trying to do the things that make me happy on the court, just trying to play aggressively, hitting good shots, drop shots, and coming to the net. That's what I like to do on the court.”

He believes that this mindset made the difference today and helped him to secure victory over Draper, who beat him earlier in their last meeting at the Indian Wells semifinals.

While talking about securing a top two seeding for the clay-court Grand Slam during the on-court interview, he expressed, “I think it’s great being second seed in Roland Garros, knowing that I’m going to not see Jannik before the final, if I reach it. I think it’s great. It’s something that I didn’t think about it, honestly. Before coming here, the No 1, it wasn’t a goal. Knowing that, it’s a great thing.”

Alcaraz will now face either Zverev or Lorenzo Musetti in the last four at the Masters 1000 tournament, the Italian Open, on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Italy appoints Gennaro Gattuso as new manager following 3-0 loss to Norway
Italy appoints Gennaro Gattuso as new manager following 3-0 loss to Norway
Gennaro replaces Luciano Spalletti, who announced his own sacking at a news conference last week
Queen’s 2025: Tatjana Maria makes history as first woman champion in 52 years
Queen’s 2025: Tatjana Maria makes history as first woman champion in 52 years
Maria won this tournament by defeating top players like Madison Keys and Elena Rybakina
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Father’s Day with unique bonding moment with son
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Father’s Day with unique bonding moment with son
Ronaldo's fans shared light-hearted remarks about the surprising height difference between father and son
Virat Kohli receives heartfelt Father's Day wish from daughter Vamika
Virat Kohli receives heartfelt Father's Day wish from daughter Vamika
Anushka Sharma shares Vamika’s sweet note for Virat Kohli on Father’s Day
Jannik Sinner opens up about ‘sleepless nights’ after French Open loss
Jannik Sinner opens up about ‘sleepless nights’ after French Open loss
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner lost the French Open finals to Carlos Alcaraz after a thrilling showdown
McIlroy shrugs off concerns: 'Didn't really care' about making US Open cut
McIlroy shrugs off concerns: 'Didn't really care' about making US Open cut
Rorry Mcllory calls his US Open 2025 performance ‘pretty average’ during first media talk
Cristiano Ronaldo treats himself with well-deserved relaxation after big win
Cristiano Ronaldo treats himself with well-deserved relaxation after big win
Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to continue playing with his current club Al Nassr for the 2025/26 season
Queen’s 2025: Tatjana Maria advances to final with surprising victory over Madison Keys
Queen’s 2025: Tatjana Maria advances to final with surprising victory over Madison Keys
Maria had lost nine matches in a row before this tournament but still managed to reached the final
Emma Raducanu withdraws from Berlin Open amid back injury concerns
Emma Raducanu withdraws from Berlin Open amid back injury concerns
The Berlin tournament includes nine of the top 10 female tennis players in the world
Leclerc feels confident despite 'very stupid' crash ahead of Canadian GP
Leclerc feels confident despite 'very stupid' crash ahead of Canadian GP
Charles Leclerc apologises to Ferrari after crash that ruled him out of FP2
Messi Inter Miami set for Club World Cup opener vs Al Ahly: Predicted lineup
Messi Inter Miami set for Club World Cup opener vs Al Ahly: Predicted lineup
David Beckham excited for Inter Miami's FIFA Club World Cup opener after receiving knighthood
David Beckham ‘emotional’ after receiving knighthood from King Charles
David Beckham ‘emotional’ after receiving knighthood from King Charles
Manchester United celebrate Beckham’s ‘truly deserved’ knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours