Matteo Arnaldi booked an all-Italian French Open semi-final against Flavio Cobolli as Matteo Berrettini’s run at Roland Garros came to a sad end as he was forced to retire injured.
Former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini, who has battled several injuries in recent years, gave up in the second set when trailing 7-5, 5-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“You never want someone to finish the tournament like that,” said Arnaldi, 25.
“I feel sorry for him and I hope he recovers and soon the grass will come and it will be very difficult to play.”
Arnaldi has spent the most time on court for a player en route to a Grand Slam semi-final, so he will likely welcome the extra rest before facing 10th seed Cobolli on Friday.
The world number 104, who was sidelined by injury earlier this season, had played five straight sets in the third and fourth rounds, totaling more than 10 hours.
“Incredible, I still can’t believe it if I think that where I was a month ago, I was almost 150th in the world,” he added.
“I’m tired, that’s for sure, but you know that I train and play tennis to play these types of tournaments, these types of matches.
“Obviously today I was a little more tired than usual… but I’m here.”
Berrettini, ranked 105, had enjoyed a brilliant tournament in his first appearance at Roland Garros since 2021.
But he had also played some demanding matches, including the longest of his career in the round of 32 against Francisco Comesana, and his efforts finally took their toll in the final night session of the event.
Berrettini got off to a dream start by going up 3-0 with two breaks of serve, but Arnaldi finally toppled him in a marathon 82-minute first set.
Arnaldi continued his momentum in the second, quickly advancing 2-0 only to give away his break back.
However, there was a painful moment for the injury-plagued Berrettini when he began grimacing and called a medical timeout.
Berrettini was broken again as Arnaldi went ahead 4-2, and after failing to chase down another winner from his opponent and then stopping to stretch, his coaching staff began signaling him to stop.
He reluctantly shook hands during the next change, placing Arnaldi in the last four of a men’s draw that was left wide open last week after the second-round elimination of his compatriot Jannik Sinner.
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