Alejandro Tabilo celebrated his third ATP title in Chengdu. The Chilean denied two match points in a thrilling 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in two hours and 37 minutes.
Lorenzo claimed eight points more and had a chance to seal the deal in the 12th game of the final set. He wasted match points and left the court empty-handed, still waiting for his first ATP title since 2022!
They hit 27 service winners each. Lorenzo dominated the baseline, and Alejandro responded with a strong performance at the net, erasing the deficit and emerging at the top.
The Italian landed 37 winners and 23 unforced errors, which sounds amazing. However, the Chilean hit 27 direct points and 44 mistakes, standing far behind in that segment but avoiding the exit door.
Musetti outplayed his rival behind the first and second serve. He faced only one break point in the entire match, providing ten straight holds and keeping the pressure on the other side.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tabilo lost the ground in the second set and saved all three break points in the decider before taking six of the final seven points in the tie break from 1-4! The Chilean saved a break point in the fifth game of the opener.
Lorenzo sprayed a forehand error in the eighth game and fell 5-3 behind. Alejandro held after a deuce in the ninth game with a service winner, closing the first part of the duel in 46 minutes.
Musetti served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side. The top seed drew the rival's error in the second game and clinched a break that sent him in front.
The Chilean saved three break points in the fourth game and remained within one break deficit. Lorenzo provided two fine holds in games five and seven before providing another break at 5-2 after Alejandro's double fault to introduce a decider after an hour and 28 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Musetti took charge and provided six comfortable holds in the decider. Tabilo saved a break point in the second game, and nothing separated them in the upcoming ones.
A left-hander fired an ace in the tenth game and locked the result at 5-5. Lorenzo generated two match points on the return at 6-5, and Alejandro saved them to survive and introduce a tie break.
The Italian clinched two early mini-break for 2-1 and claimed two points on serve for a massive 4-1 lead. The Chilean pulled the mini-break back in the eighth point and landed a crafty winner at 6-5 for a match point.
Musetti netted a forehand, sending his rival over the top and allowing his rival to start a massive celebration.
