Did Musetti Triumph Over De Minaur in a Thriller to Keep Hope Alive in Turin?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Lorenzo Musetti secured his first ATP finals victory.
- He overcame a 3-5 deficit in the final set.
- Next, Musetti will face Carlos Alcaraz.
- His victory signifies a strong season with a 45-21 record.
- All players in his group still have a chance to qualify.
Turin, Nov 12 (NationPress) Lorenzo Musetti celebrated his first victory at the ATP Tour finals with a thrilling match against Alex de Minaur, finishing 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. Musetti made a remarkable comeback from a 3-5 deficit in the final set, tying his record to 1–1 in the Jimmy Connors Group and solidifying his chances for qualification.
Next, Musetti is set to compete against the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Carlos Alcaraz, on Thursday. Alcaraz, aiming to capture his first Nitto ATP Finals title, has a 2-0 record this week after victories over De Minaur and Fritz. All four players in the group still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.
The 23-year-old Italian clinched his victory on his second match point with a stunning forehand winner while on the run, celebrating with his team courtside, as reported by the ATP.
After struggling in the second set, Musetti regained his focus just when it mattered most. He bounced back from a breathtaking 31-shot rally at 4–3, 30/30, showcasing an incredible forehand tweener that left both players exhausted before launching a dramatic late comeback.
When De Minaur was serving for the match, Musetti countered with a crucial break, riding the momentum to secure one of the most significant wins of his season after two hours and 47 minutes on the court.
As a first-time competitor in the ATP Tour Finals, Musetti qualified following a career-best year. He reached finals in Monte-Carlo, Chengdu, and most recently, Athens last week, finishing the season with a record of 45–21 according to the ATP Win/Loss Index.
Prior to 2025, Musetti had never achieved more than 40 tour-level wins in a single year, a milestone he has now vastly surpassed.