Lorenzo Musetti, will challenge Sinner in the second round
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With a double tiebreak Lorenzo Musetti overtakes Gianluca Mager in the first round of the ATP 250 in Antwerp, winning the blue derby. Bravo the Carrarino to recover two breaks behind in the first set and play an almost perfect tiebreak. Even the second set goes to the more precise and incisive “decider” Musetti, who closes it with a serve and volley signature. Brave and ready to attack Mager, throughout the match, but some mistakes due to too much enthusiasm and haste – especially in the tiebreakers – cost him dearly. On the contrary, Lorenzo was better at playing the important points well, and getting up with his serve in the middle of the first set. In the next round Musetti challenges Jannik Sinner, a much awaited match by Italian fans…
The game advanced on a very precise tactical level: Mager tried to impose his tennis in thrust, orderly and courageous, taking risks and making a difference especially at the start of the game, when Musetti served very badly and was rather anchored. behind the bottom line. Mager, however, felt the pressure more, he exaggerated with the push in some delicate phases, just when Musetti came out. Serving 5-4 in the first, the Ligurian made a couple of serious mistakes, brave but not very lucid, and Musetti took advantage of it. There his game turned, he went up with his serve, he started to grind more with his backhand and tried harder to move the game, attacking the net and with the short ball, which became a real weapon. Excellent in the tiebreak, he was good at maintaining the level throughout the second set, where he only conceded a break point – and Set Point – to Mager, canceling it with class, a deadly long line backhand. His trademark. Pulling it so well in that delicate phase is synonymous with quality. In the tiebreak of the second, Lorenzo was superior, not mistakes but well-played shots, unlike Mager, who felt more tension and played less lucidity.
The derbies are always “strange” matches, Musetti won, playing a decent match. Not excellent, but a small step forward compared to recent performances, in which it seemed not only not very incisive, but also not very intense, not very “bad”. Even today the service was not up to par, with the second he often suffered, it is a blow to be absolutely strengthened. Like the game times to be made faster, even if he is a creative and will never be a one-two pace tennis player.
He will have to fight on pace tomorrow, when he will challenge Jannik Sinner. The South Tyrolean is looking for heavy points to hope for a qualification for the Finals in Turin, he is clearly the favorite against Lorenzo. But derbies are sometimes strange games. It will be a game to follow, tomorrow at 18.30 (clear on Supertennis).
Marco Mazzoni
The match report
The blue derby in Antwerp starts with Musetti on duty. At 30 he holds the first service game. Mager also starts safely, 1 all. In the third game, Mager is offensive, he takes 15-30 but Lorenzo is good at shooting a long line backhand that splits the exchange in his favor. A backhand “cue” of the Tuscan sends the game to the advantages. Musetti’s backhand cross is still out, a break point for Mager. He exchanges, aolido Gianluca, misses the third backhand in the game Lorenzo. BREAK Magar, forward 2-1 and service. The Ligurian plays solid and orderly, anticipates well with the forehand and consolidates the break, taking 3-1. A splendid right in the running along the line, winning that earned him the point of the game. Musetti is in trouble with the first, low percentages and on the second he is attacked by the rival’s response, who moves him and throws him off the field. The 19-year-old tries to be aggressive, and despite a bad 44% of firsts so far, he manages to go 2-3. Mager starts well in the sixth game, but then makes two mistakes that condemn him to a break point. Here comes a great shot from Musetti: Mager serves in the center, attacks with the right inside out but Lorenzo senses, stays in the corner and finds a magic with the passer-by along the backhand line. Masterful execution that earns him the BREAK, 3 all. Gianluca’s splendid reaction at the break immediately, he is aggressive in response, immediately verticalizes the game and putting pressure on Musetti leads 0-40. He takes advantage of the second of the three break points, returning the lead 4-3 and serve. The Ligurian is attentive, advances and closes in flight, a good point that gives him the 5-3. With the second Ace of his match, Lorenzo remains clinging to the set, down 4-5. Now Mager goes to serve for the first set. He tries to push Musetti with the right hand, but he goes out of his way; the long line backhand helps him, pinching the corner left uncovered by Gianluca. 15 even. Another great backhand passer along the line follows, although this time Mager’s attack was shorter and more predictable. 15-30. Maybe he throws himself forward, but does not fly off, he is thrown back and loses the point. 15-40, two chances to return for Musetti. The Ligurian did well on the first, forward and peremptory closing with the smash; long exchange on the second, this time Lorenzo is intense and leads Gianluca to make a mistake. Another BREAK, 5 all, the set returns to balance. On the wave of the good moment, Musetti is precise from the center of the field, he takes 40-15, but between a winning response from Gianluca and a double fault, even the eleventh game goes to the advantages. With courage “Muzzle” advances and strengthens 6-5. Nice reaction from the Carrarino, who increased the percentage of firsts and above all was more aggressive. Mager is now under pressure, and in fact starts badly with a double fault. It is only a moment: with a great backhand, a winning serve and therefore a precise forehand in advance impacts on the 6 all. Tiebreak Time. Lorenzo starts well, powerful right for the 1-0. Musetti snatches the first mini-break with a sudden cut with the forehand, played wide by Gianluca. 2-1 and Musetti service. Well then with the attack against the clock and precise closure of the flight, and therefore a nice offensive point, “dampens” and touch to close. 4-1 Lorenzo. A stick with the right sentences Mager to 1-5. With another excellent short ball, Lorenzo leads 6-2, 4 set points. The first is enough, the Ligurian’s angry response is long. 7-6 Musetti, good reaction for the 19-year-old in the set, under a break twice and 3-5, comeback and dominates the tiebreak with his variations.
Second set, Mager starts at bat. Dejected when the Ligurian suffers yet another backhand pass along the line, he looks at his corner but continues to push. The game goes to the advantages. He commands with the right “Muzzle”, moves the exchange well and gets a break ball. This time it is Mager who tries the short ball, his first in the match, surprises Lorenzo and cancels the chance. 1-0 Mager. Musetti from the end of the first set creates more tennis, is more incisive than the abulic beginning, and finds another masterpiece at 1-1 30-30, a backhand cross pass as delicate as it is beautiful. He’s worth the break point, but Mager is good at erasing it by force, with a solid forehand. 2-1 Mager. The set flows on the service games, the Ligurian is good at pushing with the right so as not to let the rival take the initiative. From the tiebreak Lorenzo’s serve has picked up more pace (even without bringing direct points), it is no coincidence that all his tennis has grown. The balance does not break, 4-3 Mager serves Musetti, who has not yet conceded any break points in the second set. On 15 equal Lorenzo risks a serve and volley with the second, being punished by the response of Gianluca. 15-30, first dangerous situation in the set. The Ligurian tries to close the corner, but exaggerates and misses, 30 even. The 19-year-old takes the risk this time, with a right from the center that pinches the line. Great defense and scream from Musetti on the point that he is worth 4 all. We enter the hot phase of the set. Grit, courage, intensity, Mager leads 5-4, now Musetti is with his back to the wall. Gianluca finds a nice short ball, he is 15-30, two points from the second set. Uff! He risks a winning cross answer that comes out just a little… 30 even. He tries again from the right and this time he’s on the pitch! Great Shot, Rewarded Risk, and Set Point Mager! Musetti is also good, external service and a full backhand. Then he tries a bump that Gianluca puts up, but after the second rebound. With class and quality, Lorenzo hits 5 even. Mager starts the eleventh game badly, throws a smash badly and then forces out with the forehand. Courage ok, but too much haste and enthusiasm. 0-30. Keep pushing, this time the winning backhand is ok, then try a short ball that… no! Musetti arrives comfortable but touches badly on the net, what a wasted chance! Another dampening of Gianluca, this time excellent, is worth the point (really nice touch). The Ligurian has taken a liking to us, third “smorza” in a row, once again he is successful, Musetti too far from the bottom line. 6-5 Mager, at least the tiebreak is ensured. Even the Tuscan goes short ball, winning. At zero the 6 all is ensured, another tiebreak in this blue derby. Mager starts by forcing off an aggressive backhand, 1-0 and Musetti service. What a touch then of “Muzzle”, he sees the rival well behind and off with the right, perfect. 2-0. Fly 3-1 Lorenzo, good service, but Mager does not give up. It turns 4-2, with a bad mistake by Gianluca, still too much strength in wanting to “break the ball” with a smash that could have been managed better. Lorenzo makes his fist on the point of 5-2, an exchange played with intelligence by moving his rival. Mager throws himself forward with his head down, tries to cling to the match with his strong-willed and arrembante conduct. At 5-3, however, he makes a serious mistake, shooting an attacking backhand into the net, badly placed with his feet and out of balance. 6-3 Musetti, 3 Match Points! Transform the first, with an amazing serve and volley, closed with a champion’s low touch. Game Set Match Musetti, a deserved victory for Lorenzo, good at playing better in the important points. Jannik Sinner awaits him in the second round. What a match…
Marco Mazzoni
Lorenzo Musetti 
vs. Gianluca Mager
ATP ATP Antwerp
Musetti L.-
7
7
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Lean G.-
6
6
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Winner: Musetti L.
