Musetti finds himself and beats n.1 Zverev: 'I played incredible tennis'

A shot from number 1. Lorenzo Musetti is back, after many injuries: in Paris the Carrarino showed off "incredible tennis" to beat Alexander Zverev in two sets (7-6 6-2), who for the first time in his career had opened the week at the top of the ATP rankings, overtaking Sinner. "Today I maintained an incredible level of tennis against Sascha, who served very well especially in the first set.

In the tie-break I played four great points from 2-5, and in the second set I was increasingly able to get into the rallies, to control the game", Musetti's immediate analysis. At the Masters 1000 in Paris, the Italian arrived in the wake of the tournament won in Lyon - the first after 4 years - but also with the weight of the defeat in Vienna against the British Fery. On the fast La Defense team, he started by beating Hurkacz in the first round, and in the second round he found Zverev, who had also recovered from an unexpected fall in Vienna at the hands of De Minaur. But the defeat in his first match as number 1 hurts the German more, who at the end of the hundred minutes of play received compliments from the winner for the goal achieved. Musetti himself explained the key to success.

"In the tie-break I played four great points from 2-5, and in the second set I was increasingly able to get into the rallies, to command the game - said the Italian, in fact his fourth victory in six direct clashes with the German -. I had courage and luck, a perfect return came out of it. The serve "works well", but the key was another: "I'm using the slice more than usual, especially with my backhand. The ball here remains low and for those who see it coming it is not easy to get under it with the racket and control the shot. When it works, then, I have the possibility to control the exchange with the forehand."

Musetti's rediscovered form is also good news for Davis' Italy, which will also benefit from the enthusiasm of Flavio Cobolli: the Roman celebrated during the night the mathematical certainty of being in the Finals in Turin despite having to give up in Paris, thanks to the defeat of Jodar. "Magic nights", the Roman's post, as he toasts with his father and brother, between a greeting to Paris ("I would have liked to stay longer") and a hug to his girlfriend Matilde at home: Cobolli will be the sixth Italian in the history of tennis to participate in the 'Masters' tournament.

What remains to be seen is his recovery from the muscle injury that forced him to miss the Paris event. In which Novak Djokovic will not take part: the Serbian, from eleventh place in the Race, needed to reach at least the semi-final at La Defense Arena, but went out in the second round at the hands of the Australian qualifier Hijkata. Arthur Fils has also qualified, with two places left to be assigned: Tiafoe, Jodar and De Minaur are playing. Meanwhile, Turin has announced Andrea Bocelli's performance in the show that will precede the final on Sunday 22 November