Lorenzo Musetti made a winning start at the ATP 250 event in Athens. The Italian faced Stan Wawrinka in the second round and scored a tight 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory in two hours and 25 minutes.
Thus, the Italian reached his 12th ATP quarter-final of the season and kept his chances of reaching the ATP Finals alive. Lorenzo has to win the title to pass Felix Auger-Aliassime and grab that final spot in Turin.
Wawrinka, one of the oldest remaining players on the Tour, fought like a lion and pushed the top-10 star to the limits. He led 5-4 in the second set tie break but missed a chance to seal the deal in straight sets.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Swiss played better behind the first serve, and the Italian responded on the second to take two points more. Lorenzo saved one of two break points and seizes one of eight chances on the return.
ADVERTISEMENT
Stan landed 36 winners and 28 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 33-35 ratio. Wawrinka fired nine service winners more, and Musetti erased the deficit from the baseline and at the net.
The Swiss attacked in the seventh game of the opening set and landed a forehand crosscourt winner for a break and a 4-3 advantage. The veteran served for the set at 5-4 and faced three break points.
He hit well to defended them and wrapped up the first part of the duel in 39 minutes. They served well in the second set and introduced a tie break. Lorenzo led 4-2 before Stan rattled off three points for a 5-4 lead.
The 40-year-old sprayed two unforced errors to fall 6-5 behind. Musetti seized a set point with a forehand winner, prevailing and introducing a tie break after an hour and 41 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lorenzo stepped in on the return in the first game of the final set and landed a forehand winner to secure a break and move in front. He served well by the end of the duel and fired a backhand down the line winner at 5-4 to seal the deal and kick off the title chase.
