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 due to injury.
Former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini, who has struggled with various injuries in recent years, called it quits in the second set when trailing 7-5, 5-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
'You never want someone to end the tournament like this,' said the 25-year-old Arnaldi.
'I'm sorry for him and I hope he's going to recover and soon it's going to come the grass and he's going to be very tough to play.'
Arnaldi has spent the largest time on court for a player en route to a Grand Slam semi-final, so will likely be grateful for the extra rest ahead of facing 10th seed Cobolli on Friday.
The world number 104, who himself was sidelined with injury earlier this season, had played back-to-back five-setters in the third and fourth rounds, totalling over 10 hours.
'Unbelievable, I still can't believe it if I think where I was one month ago, I was nearly 150 in the world,' he added.
'I'm tired, that's for sure, but you know I train and I play tennis to play these kind of tournaments, these kind of matches.'
Berrettini, ranked 105th, 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 last 32 against Francisco Comesana, and his efforts finally took their toll in the last night session of the event.
