Tennis

Lorenzo Musetti's remarkable journey at Wimbledon reached new heights as he secured a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Taylor Fritz to advance to the semifinals. The Italian's triumph was a testament to his resilience, tactical brilliance, and unwavering determination.Musetti's performance was a rollercoaster of emotions. At times, he displayed exquisite shot-making, particularly with his one-handed backhand, which drew gasps from the crowd. However, he also faced moments of questionable decision-making and lapses in focus.Despite these inconsistencies, Musetti's resolve remained unshaken. In the crucial fifth set, he served with blistering pace, hitting aces at 126 mph and 122 mph. He also executed a stunning forehand drop shot that left Fritz sprawled on the court.Fritz, the pre-match favorite, had his chances to seize control of the match. He broke Musetti's serve early in the first set and appeared poised to run away with the match after taking the second set. However, Musetti's inspired play in the third set, where he showcased a diverse array of shots, turned the tide in his favor.Fritz rallied in the fourth set, but Musetti's relentless pressure proved too much to handle. The Italian's ability to mix up his shots, including deftly employing the slice, forced Fritz into 36 unforced errors.Musetti's victory was particularly poignant as it came in front of tennis legend Ken Rosewall, renowned for his exceptional slice backhand. Musetti's own use of the slice was a key factor in his success, as he neutralized Fritz's powerful forehand.After the match, Musetti expressed his joy and gratitude. "It's a magic day for me," he said. "I've had many tough losses, but this victory shows my progress and maturity."Musetti's triumph sets up a mouthwatering semifinal clash with Novak Djokovic, the 21-time Grand Slam champion. The Italian will need to summon all his grit and tactical acumen to overcome the formidable challenge that lies ahead.

Lorenzo Musetti, the 22-year-old Italian tennis sensation, has continued his impressive run on grass courts by reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon. On Monday, Musetti defeated lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the last eight.Musetti's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, as he had never previously reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament. His performance at Wimbledon is a testament to his growing maturity and confidence on grass, a surface that he has traditionally struggled on.In the match against Mpetshi Perricard, Musetti displayed his trademark aggressive style of play, generating 23 winners while committing only eight unforced errors. He broke his opponent's serve four times and saved all three break points he faced.Musetti's coach, Simone Tartarini, played a crucial role in his victory. Before the match, Tartarini advised Musetti to be aggressive on break points and to force Mpetshi Perricard to play from behind. Musetti followed his coach's instructions to perfection, breaking his opponent's serve at key moments in the match.Musetti's success at Wimbledon is a continuation of his strong form on grass this season. He reached the semifinals in Stuttgart and finished runner-up at the Queen's Club Championships in London. His 11 wins on grass this year are a testament to his adaptability and his ability to perform at his best on different surfaces.In the quarterfinals, Musetti will face either Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz. Zverev is a former world number two and a finalist at the French Open this year, while Fritz is a rising star who recently won the Eastbourne International. Musetti will be the underdog in either matchup, but he will be confident in his ability to cause an upset.Musetti's performance at Wimbledon is a reminder of his immense potential. He is a player with a bright future, and he is capable of achieving great things in the sport.

Lorenzo Musetti, the 30th-ranked Italian, has reached the final of the grass-court Queen's Club Championships after a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Jordan Thompson on Saturday. Musetti, who has won both of his previous two tour-level finals, will face Tommy Paul for the title.Musetti, who has never reached a final on grass before, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to win at Queen's Club. "It would be super nice to win here in Queen's with so much history," he said. "There are a lot of Italians here in London, I really feel like I'm at home."Earlier in the day, 13th-ranked Paul advanced to the final after defeating fellow American Sebastian Korda 6-4, 7-6 (2) in an all-American semifinal. Korda suffered an ankle injury in a fall towards the end of the first set, which was treated at the changeover.The final between Musetti and Paul promises to be a thrilling encounter. Musetti, with his powerful groundstrokes and impressive net play, will be looking to continue his winning streak in finals. Paul, on the other hand, will be aiming to win his first ATP Tour title and cement his status as one of the rising stars of the game.

The contrast between the allure of tennis for spectators and the grueling demands it places on players is starkly evident in the wee hours of the morning. For fans, these late-night matches are unforgettable spectacles, etched into memory. However, for the players, they represent a relentless physical and mental toll that extends far beyond the final point.The ultra-early morning matches in professional tennis are akin to taking on a second mortgage, with each additional hour of play compounding the debt. In the aftermath of the epic four-hour and 32-minute battle between Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic, the question arises: who will bear the greater burden?Musetti, who had endured a disappointing clay court season, showed flashes of brilliance against Djokovic. Despite losing the first two sets, he rallied to take the third, showcasing his aggressive shot-making and elegant one-handed backhand. However, Djokovic's experience and tenacity proved too much, as he dominated the decider 6-0.The match's late start, due to rain delays, pushed the finish well past midnight. Musetti's ability to challenge Djokovic but ultimately fall short evoked a comment from Jimmy Connors: "I knew he could cut me; he just couldn't kill me."The implications of playing past midnight are staggering. Djokovic, who likely needed to be on court until at least 3:00 a.m., would have faced a recovery process that extended into the early hours of the morning. Yet, he displayed his trademark resilience, defining time as simply the moment of the next point.Djokovic's excellence stems from his unwavering ability to embrace struggle, stay present, and solve the problems presented to him. As the fifth set began past 2:30 a.m., his experience and mental fortitude proved invaluable.Despite the late hour, Djokovic's victory raises questions about its impact on his next match, scheduled for Monday. However, as Musetti learned firsthand, questioning Djokovic's ability to overcome adversity is often futile. At 37, Djokovic remains a formidable force, proving that a lion in winter is still a lion.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has proven that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the age of 37. Despite a challenging start to his Roland Garros campaign, Djokovic rallied to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling five-set match that ended at 3:07 a.m.Djokovic's victory was a testament to his unwavering belief in his abilities. "I have always had that conviction inside of me that I can win a Slam," he said. "That's why I'm still competing at this level."The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for Djokovic. He struggled in the third and early fourth sets, but the crowd's support gave him a much-needed boost. "At 2-2 in the fourth set, I became a different player," he said. "That was perhaps the best match I ever played here."Djokovic's performance was a reminder of his exceptional skills and determination. He hit blistering forehands and chased down every ball with relentless energy. Musetti, a rising star in the tennis world, gave Djokovic a run for his money, but in the end, the experience and class of the Serbian prevailed.Djokovic's victory sends a clear message to his rivals: he is not ready to give up his throne. "Beware, one and all," he said. "I have planted my flag in the red dirt."However, Djokovic's late-night triumph comes with a caveat. The grueling schedule and late finish could take a toll on his body in the later rounds of the tournament. "I don't want to get into it," he said of the schedule. "But I have my opinions."Despite the potential physical challenges, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to win another Grand Slam title. "I'm on a high," he said. "I'm not letting go of that stranglehold that I created on Lorenzo."

Defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round of the French Open on Thursday, extending his remarkable streak of reaching the last 32 at Roland Garros to 19 consecutive years. The 37-year-old Serbian maestro dispatched Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, in a dominant display that showcased his unwavering class.Djokovic, who is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, will next face either Frenchman Gael Monfils or Italian 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti. The Serb holds an unblemished 19-0 record against Monfils and has defeated Musetti four times in five meetings. However, Musetti gave Djokovic a significant scare at the 2021 French Open, winning the first two sets before retiring injured in the decider.Despite dropping his opening service game against the 63rd-ranked Carballes Baena, Djokovic quickly regained control of the match. From 4-4 in the first set, he reeled off 14 of the last 17 games, overwhelming his opponent with an impressive array of 43 winners.Djokovic's victory was a testament to his enduring dominance on clay. He has now won 86 matches at Roland Garros, second only to Rafael Nadal's 105. The Serb is also aiming to become the first man in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slams twice.

French Open 2023: Preview and Predictions for Zverev, Goffin, Musetti, Monfils, Azarenka, and SabalenkaThe French Open 2023 is underway, and some intriguing matchups are set to take place in the second round. Here's a preview and predictions for four highly anticipated matches:Alexander Zverev vs. David GoffinZverev and Goffin have a history of close encounters, with Zverev holding a narrow 3-2 head-to-head advantage. Their most recent meeting, on clay in Rome last year, went to a third-set tiebreaker.Goffin, now ranked 115th, has shown signs of his old form in his five-set first-round win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. However, Zverev, fresh off his historic victory over Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, is likely to be too strong for the Belgian.Lorenzo Musetti vs. Gael MonfilsMusetti and Monfils are both known for their flashy and entertaining style of play. Musetti, ranked 30th, has a single-handed backhand, while Monfils, ranked 37th, is renowned for his acrobatic shots.Their only previous meeting, on indoor hard courts in Vienna in 2021, went to Monfils in two close sets. However, Musetti has shown impressive form on clay this season, and his youth and energy could give him an edge over the veteran Monfils.Victoria Azarenka vs. Mirra AndreevaAzarenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, faces a rising star in 17-year-old Andreeva. Despite the age difference, both players have similar playing styles, favoring their two-handed backhands and playing a balanced game.Azarenka's experience and ability to handle pressure should give her the advantage in this matchup. However, Andreeva's youth and fearless attitude could make this a competitive contest.Aryna Sabalenka vs. Moyuka UchijimaSabalenka, the No. 2 seed, is a heavy favorite against Uchijima, who is ranked 83rd. However, Uchijima has won 19 straight matches at the ITF level and in Roland Garros qualifying.Sabalenka's power and consistency should be too much for Uchijima, but the Japanese player could provide a surprise if she can maintain her high level of play.

Novak Djokovic exacted revenge on Lorenzo Musetti, the young Italian who stunned him last year, with a 7-5, 6-3 victory in the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters quarterfinals.Musetti, now 22, had upset an out-of-form Djokovic in 2023, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion was in far better shape this time around. Djokovic rallied from a break down in the first set and never looked back, advancing in just under two hours.Djokovic, who had declared himself "not scared of anything or anybody" ahead of the rematch, showed no signs of rust after sitting out the Miami Open. He had demolished Roman Safiullin in his first match in Monte Carlo and was eager to prove that last year's early exit was an aberration.Musetti, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 15 last June, opened the match with a break of serve and threatened to take a 4-1 double-break lead. However, Djokovic held on and charged back, leveling the set and ultimately winning seven of the next eight games.Musetti managed to break back and get on the board, but Djokovic kept pressing and broke serve again to move within two games of victory. Musetti saved break points to avoid a double-break deficit and pulled off some audacious shotmaking to get the set back on serve.Undeterred, Djokovic regained his lead and served for the match. With three match points in hand, he only needed one as Musetti erred long off the forehand.Up next for Djokovic is No. 11 seed Alex de Minaur, who defeated fellow Aussie Alexei Popyrin in straight sets. De Minaur has been one of the most consistent players of 2024 and will pose a significant challenge to Djokovic.

Lorenzo Musetti, the 22-year-old Italian tennis star, is set to face Roman Safiullin of Russia in the second round of the Miami Open on Sunday. While Musetti would have been the clear favorite in previous years, his recent form has raised some doubts.Musetti has struggled since the start of 2024, winning only five of his 14 matches. However, he has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, including a hard-fought win over Denis Shapovalov in Indian Wells.Safiullin, on the other hand, has also been in poor form, losing seven of his last nine matches. The Russian is known for his powerful baseline game, but he has been struggling with his consistency lately.Despite Musetti's recent struggles, he remains a dangerous opponent. He has the ability to match Safiullin's power and is a better mover. Additionally, Musetti is due for some positive regression in his return and serve percentages.The oddsmakers have Musetti as a slight underdog, but the Italian is worth considering at these odds. He is a talented player who is starting to find his form again.