By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday April 12, 2022
Italy's Lorenzo knocked off World No.9 Felix Auger-Aliassime in Monte-Carlo to reach the round of 16.
Photo Source: Getty
Playing the stylish, tactically efficient clay-court tennis that he is becoming known for, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti notched a big win over No.6-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, easing past the Canadian World No.9, 6-2, 7-6(2) in one hour and 42 minutes.
20-year-old Musetti has now won four of five on clay, after reaching the quarterfinals at Marrakech last week.
He improves to 20-11 lifetime on clay, compared to 15-22 on the other surfaces.
Musetti was in fine form as he improved to 2-1 over Auger-Aliassime. He said living in Monte-Carlo makes him even more comfortable on the red clay of Monaco.
“I live here and practise here,” Musetti said in his on-court interview after the match. “It is nice to be here and play here in front of such a crowd. I am really happy.”
Musetti’s one-handed backhand was as dreamy as ever, and it helped him keep Auger-Aliassime off balance throughout the match.
“My backhand down the line was a key to many of my great shots,” he said. “After a really good first set, he came back with such powerful serving, but I was calm and patient and that was the most beautiful thing about today.”
It has been a rough stretch for Auger-Aliassime, who has now lost five of six after starting the season on stable footing and claiming his maiden ATP title at Rotterdam.
He drops to 16-8 in the season.
Musetti cracked 19 winners, including nine of the backhand side, against 21 unforced errors; Auger-Aliassime also had 19 winners (14 forehand) against 29 unforced errors.
The Italian won 11 of 14 at net and converted all three break points he earned. He will face Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman (d. Fucsovics, 6-0, 7-6(4)) in the round of 16.
Ruud Rises Above Rune
Norway’s Casper Ruud continues to ride the hot hand on his favorite surface. The 23-year-old No.4 seed defeated Holger Rune in a battle of the ATP’s top two Scandinavian players, 7-6(5), 7-5 to reach the round of 16 and set a clash with Grigor Dimitrov.
Ruud improves to 79-30 lifetime on clay. He has won six titles on clay, including Buenos Aires earlier this season.
Elsewhere, Albert Ramos-Vinolas edged No.7-seeded Cameron Norrie, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, while No.10-seeded Taylor Fritz slipped past Marin Cilic, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, to set a round of 16 clash with Sebastian Korda (who defeated Carlos Alcaraz).
Laslo Djere (d. Sonego), David Goffin (d. Evans), Hubert Hurkacz (d. Martinez) and Pablo Carreno Busta (d. Bublik) were also winners on Wednesday.