Musetti Advances to Quarterfinals in Madrid with Straight-Set Victory

Lorenzo Musetti delivered a dominant display to overcome Alex de Minaur in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, during their Round of 16 match at the Manolo Santana Stadium in Madrid on Thursday.

The tenth-seeded player showcased a well-rounded game, combining power, accuracy, and mental strength to defeat his Australian opponent.

With this win, Musetti is poised to enter the ATP Top 10 for the first time in his career when the updated rankings are revealed on Monday. He will ascend from No. 11 to at least No. 10, regardless of subsequent results in the tournament.

“I am not taken aback by reaching the quarterfinals; my surprise stems from within,” Musetti commented.

“Following Monte-Carlo, I experienced an internal shift—a significant step forward. This is something I had been anticipating for a considerable time. I feel more self-assured in my actions on the court. Naturally, losses can occur, but I now possess the mindset of a Top 10 player, which brings me immense satisfaction.”

Musetti’s effective first serve was a crucial asset, with a 69% success rate and a 79% win rate on both first and second serve points.

In contrast, De Minaur struggled with his second serve, securing only 41% of the points.

The Italian capitalized on three out of ten break point opportunities, while preventing De Minaur from securing any breaks.

Musetti also demonstrated superiority in service games, winning nine compared to De Minaur’s six, and accumulated a total of 61 points against the Australian’s 45.

Fueled by three aces and consistent play from the baseline, Musetti maintained control of the match’s tempo and enters the quarterfinals with high confidence.