The Editorial Team Monday 25 September 2023, 10.45am
CHENGDU (CHINA) – After the excellent performance in the Davis Cup, Musetti flew to China to play the ATP 250 in Chengdu. The Italian, number 2 on the scoreboard, has reached the semifinal against Safiullin but lost it in two sets (6-3, 6-4). The Russian, therefore, flies to the final and will face the winner of the other semi-final, that is, one between Zverev and Dimitrov. Relive the challenge…
13:40
Musetti remains in China
The Italian tennis player will move to Beijing because the China Open, the ATP 500 tournament, will begin on Wednesday. He won’t be alone as Sinner and Sonego will also be present.
13:35
Safiulli’s top 50
The Russian, after beating Musetti in Chengdu, will climb positions in the rankings. He is now number 55, but entry into the top 50 is certain.
13:23
Atp Chengdu: the other semi-final
At 1.30pm there will be room for the other semi-final. On the pitch Dimitrov and Zverev, number 1 on the scoreboard. Whoever wins faces Safiullin who took out Musetti in two sets.
13:20
Musetti-Safiullin: the key to the match
Musetti was never really in the game, finishing under 40% in his second serve return. The Russian, however, hit 9 aces and with his first serve he scored the point 83% of the time.
13:16
Musetti, final curse
The Italian does not reach the final and stops again in the semi-final. It’s a curse. For Safiullin, however, the one in Chengdu is the first final in his career on the ATP circuit.
13:10
Safiullin is in the final: 6-3, 6-4
Game scoreless for the Russian who reached the final in less than an hour and a half. Musetti stops in the semifinals.
13:06
Musetti doesn’t give up: 5-4
The Italian holds serve (40-30), closes with a forehand on the break, but now Safiullin serves for the match and flies into the final in Chengdu.
13:01
Safiullin insisted: 5-3
Musetti takes the lead for the first time on the Russian’s serve, cancels three game points, but in the moment of truth he fails to equalize the score.
12:50
Break Safiullin: 4-3 in the second set
From 30-0 to 30-40. Musetti loses his serve between a double fault and the tape. Compromised match.
12:45
Safiullin a mille: 3-3
Another scoreless game for the Russian. Musetti in difficulty.
12:42
Musetti holds: 3-2
Musetti takes a big risk, goes under, also saves a break point. And he takes advantage of the service.
12:36
Safiullin in looseness: 2-2
Game at zero for the Russian who does nothing wrong.
12:32
Musetti, who comes back to make it 2-1
Double fault and straight out of turn for the partial 0-30. However, the Italian comesback to win a complicated game 40-30.
12:28
Safiullin equalized: 1-1
Everything was easy for the Russian at bat who made Musetti run from right to left. Fifth ace.
12:25
Musetti starts again: 1-0 at the beginning of the second set
The Italian holds serve and starts off on the right foot in the second set.
12:21
Safiullin wins the first set: 6-3
Musetti holds on, he’s in the game, but at the first set point the Russian doesn’t forgive and closes the game at 40-30. This is the third consecutive game.
12:16
Break Safiullin: 5-3
With the advantages, the Russian takes the lead by two games. A noteworthy point on the break. And now he serves to close the set.
12:09
Power draw: 4-3
The Russian ends the game with an ace (40-15) without too many difficulties.
12:06
Musetti takes the score to 3-3
The Italian cancels a break point and manages to equalize with the advantages. The Russian had raised the pace in the defensive phase before committing three gratuitous errors.
11:58
Safiullin comesback to make it 3-2
Musetti takes the first point (0-15), but then the Russian closes the serve at 40-15.
11:54
Musetti is there: 2-2
Power and precision at bat for the Italian. Another 40-15 and a perfectly balanced match.
11:51
Safiullin’s goal: 2-1
Also an ace for the Russian who takes the third game 40-15. Musetti defends himself as best he can.
11:47
Musetti responds present: 1-1
Excellent serve from the Italian who closes the game at 40-15.
11:43
Musetti-Safiullin: 0-1 at the start
The Russian holds serve (40-15) on a very fast court.
11:37
Musetti-Safiullin: beats the Russian
The semi-finalists warm up on the main pitch in Chengdu. The match will start soon. The first to bat will be Safiullin.
11:32
Musetti and Safiullin on the pitch
The tennis players enter the court, with little spectators in the Chengdu stands.
11:25
Musetti is in shape
The Tuscan tennis player won against the Frenchman Rinderknech without struggling in the quarter-finals in Chengdu – LEARN MORE
11:14
Musetti, first final mission
In 2023 Musetti never reached the final. He is now looking for his first joy on hard court at the ATP 250 tournament in Chengdu. So far he has already reached the semi-finals three times and the quarter-finals six more times.
11:07
Musetti and Safiullin: the ATP ranking
The Italian occupies position number 18 in the ATP ranking, while the Russian is 55th.
11:01
Musetti-Safiullin: the match on TV
The semi-final of the ATP 250 tournament in Chengdu between Musetti and Safiullin is scheduled for 11.30 am and will be visible on Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport Tennis. Streaming on Now and on the Sky Go platform.
10:54
Musetti-Safiullin: the precedents
There is only one precedent between the two tennis players. Safiullin leads 1-0 over Musetti: at the 2019 Challenger in Bergamo he won 7-5, 6-4.
10:45
Musetti-Safiullin: the final is up for grabs
Everything is ready for the challenge between Musetti and Safiullin which puts the final of the ATP 250 in Chengdu at stake. Start scheduled at 11.30.
Chengdou (Cina)
2023-09-25 11:40:00
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