Tennis

Lorenzo Musetti, the 22-year-old Italian sensation, pulled off a stunning upset on Friday, defeating world number three Alexander Zverev in the Vienna Open quarterfinals. Musetti's 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory marked a significant milestone in his career and sent shockwaves through the tennis world.Musetti, who won an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo and reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this year, struggled initially against Zverev's powerful serve and aggressive baseline play. However, he remained composed and gradually found his rhythm, exploiting Zverev's unforced errors and dictating the pace with his precise groundstrokes."It didn't start how we planned," Musetti admitted. "I was struggling to find the right balance with my forehand and the variation of my backhand."But Musetti's resilience shone through as he fought back from a set down to force a tiebreak in the second set. He then seized control of the match, breaking Zverev's serve in the third set and holding on for a memorable victory."It's a pretty big win because Sascha really loves to play here, on this court, in these conditions," Musetti said. "But, after the first round, I was feeling in good shape and today I showed that."Musetti's triumph sets up a semifinal clash with world number 18 Jack Draper, who defeated Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in three sets. Draper, who is enjoying a breakout season, will pose a formidable challenge for Musetti, but the Italian is confident in his abilities."I thought the first set was really physical," Draper said. "It's always tough playing Tomas, he's so solid off the ground."In other quarterfinal action, Australian second seed Alex de Minaur rallied from a set down to defeat Czech teenager Jakub Mensik. De Minaur will face Karen Khachanov of Russia in the semifinals, who cruised past Italy's Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.The Vienna Open semifinals promise to deliver thrilling tennis as the top players battle for a place in the final. Musetti's upset victory over Zverev has injected excitement into the tournament and has further cemented his status as one of the rising stars of the sport.

Reilly Opelka's return to the US Open after a three-year absence was a bittersweet experience. The 27-year-old American, once ranked as high as No. 17 in the world, faced Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian who had defeated him in straight sets in their previous three encounters.Opelka, known for his towering serve and aggressive net play, put on a dominant performance in the second set, winning 6-1. However, Musetti, who has made significant strides in his game since their last meeting, fought back to win the first, third, and fourth sets.Opelka had five set points in the fourth set but failed to convert any of them, allowing Musetti to break back and eventually win the match 7-6 (3), 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.Despite the loss, Opelka's performance was encouraging. He served 23 aces and hit 55 winners, showing that his game is still intact. He also charged the net 51 times, although he only won 23 points from those attempts.Opelka's struggles in the fourth set may have been due to a lack of match fitness. He had not played a Grand Slam event since the 2021 US Open and had only recently returned to competition after a wrist injury.Musetti, on the other hand, has been in excellent form this year. He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and the final at Queen's on grass, and won a bronze medal at the Olympics on clay.The Italian's victory over Opelka is a sign of his growing maturity and confidence. He has shown that he can compete with the top players in the world and is a threat to win any tournament he enters.

Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian tennis sensation, is eager to return to the competitive circuit at the Cincinnati Open after a remarkable summer that culminated in a historic Olympic bronze medal in Paris. Musetti's triumph marked the first Olympic tennis medal for Italy in a century, solidifying his status as a rising star in the sport.Despite his Olympic success, Musetti remains grounded and focused on his immediate goals. "A medal is something I won't forget, but I don't want to think about it for the rest of my career," he said. "I have to focus on each week, and each week is different."Musetti's versatility has been evident in his recent performances. He reached the final of the Queen's Club on grass, surged to the Wimbledon semifinals, and claimed a finalist trophy in Umag on clay. His Olympic bronze medal on the same surface further showcased his adaptability."The results I've achieved in the last couple of months are helping me to enter the court with more belief in myself," Musetti explained. "But I don't want to think about the bronze medal every day. It's too much for me, and I don't want to always live with that."Musetti's determination to continue growing is evident in his approach to the Cincinnati Open. He will face American favorite Frances Tiafoe in the second round, a formidable opponent who defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round.Musetti's journey from Olympic medalist to Cincinnati contender is a testament to his resilience and unwavering focus. As he embarks on the next chapter of his career, he is eager to prove that his Olympic success was just the beginning.

The one-handed backhand, a once-ubiquitous stroke in tennis, has faced a decline in recent years. However, a group of ATP Tour stars, including Grigor Dimitrov, Lorenzo Musetti, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, are determined to keep the shot alive.In a humorous tribute video, these players poked fun at the challenges of transitioning to a two-handed backhand. Dimitrov joked about the difficulties of using two hands for everyday tasks, such as brushing teeth and eating lunch.Despite the lighthearted tone, the video underscores the players' commitment to preserving the one-handed backhand. Dimitrov, now 33, has long been a vocal advocate for the shot. Earlier this year, he declared himself the "biggest supporter" of the one-handed backhand.In February, for the first time since the inception of the ATP rankings in 1973, there were no players with a one-handed backhand ranked in the Top 10. However, Dimitrov and Tsitsipas have since rectified that situation.Dimitrov believes that the one-handed backhand is a unique and beautiful shot that deserves to be preserved. He encourages other players to continue using the shot and pushing its boundaries."I think the beauty of the one hand is just there's so much to it in order to hit the ball right with one hand," Dimitrov said.The one-handed backhand may be facing challenges, but it is far from dead. With players like Dimitrov, Musetti, and Tsitsipas leading the charge, the shot is sure to continue to grace the courts for years to come.

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti stunned defending champion Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tennis tournament on Thursday, securing a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the German world number four. Musetti's triumph sets up a tantalizing semifinal clash against either top seed Novak Djokovic or Stefanos Tsitsipas, with a place in the gold medal match on the line.Musetti, ranked 76th in the world, displayed remarkable composure and resilience throughout the match. He broke Zverev's serve in the opening game of the first set and held on to his advantage, despite facing some stern challenges from the German. Zverev fought back in the second set, breaking Musetti's serve in the fourth game. However, Musetti remained unfazed and broke back immediately, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.In the crucial moments, Musetti's superior court coverage and ability to hit deep, penetrating groundstrokes proved decisive. He forced Zverev into numerous errors and capitalized on the German's uncharacteristic unforced mistakes. Musetti sealed the victory with a powerful forehand winner, sending shockwaves through the Ariake Tennis Park.Musetti's victory marks a significant upset in the Olympic tennis tournament. Zverev, who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was considered one of the favorites to repeat his success. However, Musetti's impressive performance has thrown the tournament wide open and has given him a chance to create history for Italy.The 19-year-old Italian has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, having defeated world number 12 Diego Schwartzman in the second round. His victory over Zverev is a testament to his growing maturity and confidence on the big stage. Musetti will now face an even greater challenge in the semifinals, but he will be buoyed by his recent success and the support of the Italian fans.

Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo to Juggle ATP Final and Olympic DebutAs the Paris Olympics officially commenced on Friday, two rising tennis stars, Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo, found themselves facing a unique challenge. Just hours after securing their places in the Umag final, they were set to embark on their Olympic journeys.Musetti, the second seed in Umag, showcased his impressive form by dispatching Jakub Mensik in straight sets. The Italian converted all five break points he created, demonstrating the confidence he gained from his recent Wimbledon semifinal appearance.Meanwhile, Cerundolo, the fourth seed, upset top seed Andrey Rublev in a thrilling encounter. The Argentine saved five of the six break points he faced, proving his resilience and determination.Both players are seeking their first ATP title of the year and third overall. However, their immediate focus is on the Umag final, which will take place on Saturday.However, their Olympic aspirations loom large. First-round singles and doubles matches are scheduled to be completed before Monday, meaning Musetti and Cerundolo will have to balance their ATP commitments with their Olympic responsibilities.In Paris, Musetti will face home favorite Gael Monfils in the first round, while Cerundolo will take on Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile.The demanding schedule will undoubtedly test their physical and mental limits, but both players are eager to embrace the challenge."I think I am loving this country so far. Played eight matches and I won them all," said Cerundolo after his victory in Umag. "Hopefully I can end up tomorrow with another win, another title."Musetti echoed Cerundolo's sentiments, expressing pride in his performance and readiness for the Olympic stage."Really proud of what I showed tonight. I think I probably played my best tennis," said the 22-year-old.The Umag final and the Olympic debut of Musetti and Cerundolo promise to be captivating spectacles, showcasing the extraordinary talent and determination of these rising stars.

Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, showcased his exceptional tennis skills to defeat Lorenzo Musetti, the 25th-seeded Italian, in a thrilling three-set match (6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4) on Friday. This victory marks Djokovic's 10th Wimbledon final appearance, where he will face the reigning champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2023 encounter.As Centre Court gradually filled up after Alcaraz's hard-fought victory over Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic seized the initiative in the opening set. In a breathtaking 26-shot rally, he broke Musetti's serve in the sixth game. Djokovic's passionate celebration ignited the crowd, but Musetti responded with a powerful forehand to break back and level the set at 4-5. However, a shaky service game from Musetti handed the set to Djokovic.Musetti made a strong start in the second set, showcasing his impressive backhand pass to take a 3-1 lead. Djokovic remained composed, gradually regaining control and elevating his performance. He clinched the tiebreak with a dominant display, setting the stage for a potential sixth consecutive All England Club final.With the prospect of a 24th Grand Slam title within reach, Djokovic seized the opportunity in the third set. He broke Musetti's serve in the opening game with a backhand crosscourt winner. Djokovic's tactical brilliance shone through as he mixed up his game, employing serve-and-volley tactics to keep Musetti at bay. Despite a late comeback attempt from the Italian, Djokovic held firm, saving a breakpoint and securing the victory on his fourth match point.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, has earned the moniker "Great Eliminator" for his unparalleled ability to extinguish opponents' momentum and demoralize challengers. With 24 Grand Slam singles titles and 98 overall championships, Djokovic has eliminated countless players en route to his remarkable achievements.In each match, Djokovic exhibits his Eliminator Mode, snuffing out surges and quelling positive momentum. Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic's challenger in the Wimbledon semifinals, experienced this firsthand. After a spirited comeback, Musetti's belief was shattered when Djokovic entered Eliminator Mode, breaking his serve and extinguishing his hopes.Djokovic's ability to eliminate opponents is evident in his statistics. Despite Musetti hitting more winners and having fewer unforced errors in the first two sets, Djokovic's unwavering focus and ability to play his best when it mattered most proved decisive.In the second set, Musetti's jaw-dropping running cross-court backhand winner gave him a 3-1 lead. However, Djokovic steadied himself, held serve, and broke at love for 3-3. Unflustered, Musetti continued to apply pressure, but Djokovic engaged Eliminator Mode, hitting an unreturned serve, two aces, and a third ace to win the game.Djokovic's dominance continued throughout the match. He erased Musetti's one final chance, snuffing out break points and holding serve to secure the victory. The 37-year-old is now into his 37th Grand Slam singles final, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated clash.

Novak Djokovic, the legendary Serbian tennis star, is poised to make history as he aims to reach his 10th Wimbledon final. Standing in his way is the rising Italian star, Lorenzo Musetti, who is making his Grand Slam semi-final debut.Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, is seeking to equal Roger Federer's record of eight titles at the prestigious tournament. The 37-year-old has been in impressive form this year, winning the Australian Open and reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.Musetti, on the other hand, has been a revelation at Wimbledon 2024. The 25th seed has upset several higher-ranked opponents, including 13th seed Taylor Fritz, to reach the semi-finals. The 21-year-old Italian is known for his aggressive style of play and powerful forehand.The match between Djokovic and Musetti promises to be a captivating clash of styles. Djokovic's experience and court craft will be tested against Musetti's youthful exuberance and attacking instincts.If Djokovic emerges victorious, he will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Cameron Norrie in the final. A win for Djokovic would set up a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final, where he defeated Alcaraz in four sets.The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men's Singles Semi-Final will be played on Friday, July 12, at the Centre Court, Wimbledon. The match is expected to start after 9:30 PM IST.Indian viewers can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network. The match will also be streamed live on Disney Plus Hotstar app and website.