Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti couldn’t hide his happiness after upsetting Casper Ruud and clinching his first top-5 win. Musetti, ranked at No 23 in the world, surprised fourth-ranked Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-4 in the Paris Masters round-of-16.
“I am really happy. I think we played a great match until the end. A lot of remarkable shots from his side. He was playing really well and I had to play my best tennis to beat him. I am really happy that all the hard work I am doing keeps improving me.
I am really proud of this win,” Musetti said, per the ATP website.
How Musetti defeated Ruud?
The first break points of the match were seen in the fifth game, when Musetti missed out on two break points. In the 10th game – when Musetti was serving to stay in the first set – Ruud claimed the first break of the match to win the opener.
After losing the first set, Musetti earned his first break in the fifth game of the second set to open a 3-2 lead. Up by a break, Musetti’s lead was short-lived as Ruud broke back the Italian in the sixth game to tie the second set to three games apiece.
However, Musetti was able to bounce back after blowing his first break as he broke Ruud again in the ninth game to open a 5-4 lead in the second set. In the 10th game, Musetti realized his first set point to send the match into a decider.
After winning the second set, Musetti claimed the first break of the third set in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. Up by a break, Musetti held on to his serve the rest of the set to complete a three-set win. Previously, Musetti and Ruud met once.
During the 2019 Rome Masters qualifying, Ruud defeated Musetti. Three years later, Musetti got his revenge and claimed his first win over Ruud.
