Lorenzo Musetti is through to the ATP 500 Vienna semi-final. The Italian faced world no. 3 Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final and scored a 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 triumph in two hours and 37 minutes, beating the German for the second time in three duels. Lorenzo will compete in his seventh semi-final of the season against Jack Draper, needing one more win to secure a career-high ranking.
Numbers behind Musetti's win
Alexander claimed eight points more than his opponent thanks to the opening set. He missed opportunities in the closing stages of the second set, standing two points away from the win but allowing Lorenzo to prolong the battle and make the difference early in the decider. World no. 3 played better behind the first serve, fending off six of nine break points and providing four breaks from 12 chances. Despite one break less on his tally, the Italian endured the efforts in the closing stages of the second set and forged a massive lead with a double break in the third. Musetti fired 35 winners and 33 unforced errors, leaving his opponent on a 24-26 ratio. Zverev led 29-22 in service winners and earned more points at the net. The better-ranked player built the advantage in the most extended exchanges, although it was not enough to carry him over the top.
Alexander makes a flying start
Alexander claimed an extended rally at the beginning of the duel for an early break, cementing it with a hold at 15. He denied a break point in the sixth game with a service winner and made another push on the return in the next one. Musetti netted a backhand, losing serve for the second time and falling 5-2 behind. Alexander served for the opener in game eight and drew the rival's mistake, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 38 minutes.
Musetti bounces back and survives
The second set lasted over 70 minutes, with the Italian raising his level and surviving challenges. He denied break points in the first game and broke the German in game two, forging a 4-1 advantage. Alexander pulled the break back in game seven and held at love a few minutes later for 4-4. Lorenzo defended break points in games nine and 11, taking the pivotal points and reaching a tie break. Lorenzo erased a 3-0 deficit and earned a set point after passing world no. 3 at the net at 5-5. The Italian cracked a forehand winner, wrapping up the set and forcing a decider. Carried by this boost, Musetti grabbed a double break at the beginning of the final set, moving 3-0 up before Zverev pulled one break back in game four. Lorenzo did not face issues in the remaining service games, cracking a forehand crosscourt winner at 5-4 for a hold at love and a place in the last four.
