The truth has returned Lorenzo Musetti. No longer the shy and submissive player of recent weeks. A finally aggressive attitude, closer to the baseline in response, capable of surprising opponents with variations and flashes of genius. Who knows whether fatherhood has left a turning point in his mind. Certainly beating the American Ben Shelton (6-4, 7-6) by two sets to zero, moreover on hard courts, means having once again achieved competitiveness at the highest levels.
The class of 2002 showed off the best of their repertoire. Tactically ordered, Musetti showed off a great performance from a defensive point of view (“I always made him play an extra ball“, as he later explained), without skimping on an offensive approach whenever he had the chance. The Tuscan resorted to using the short ball several times, putting the American giant on the ropes.
The Italian’s mental turning point is also demonstrated by what happened during the second set. Here Musetti found himself down by a break: practically a sentence in the presence of an opponent who has his strong point in serving. Yet the blue was not discouraged, he concentrated on one point at a time, with some classy touches he achieved the comeback, before prevailing in the tie-break 7-5.
At this point the bar will reach the maximum possible height in the round of 16, because waiting for the world no.24 will be none other than the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, recent ATP winner of Indian Wells and also a big favorite in Miami. It will require a memorable feat, however Musetti’s goal will be to replicate the performance offered against Shelton: at that point there will be no shortage of spectacle.
VIDEO MUSETTI-SHELTON 2-0: THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATCH
2024-03-26 07:30:54
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