ATP Bastad: Lorenzo Musetti wins hard-fought derby with Matteo Arnaldi

ATP Bastad: Musetti wins derby with Arnaldi and flies to quarters

He had to work much harder than expected Lorenzo Musetti to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 in Bastad. The Carrara-based tennis player defeated compatriot Matteo Arnaldi in a derby after three sets and a battle lasting two hours and 37 minutes of play.

In the first set, what broke the balance was a break by Lorenzo at 3-3, which was repeated at zero in the last game, making the final 6-3 in his favor. In the second set, however, it was Matteo who pulled ahead by a break, which he retained with authority until the final 6-4, sending the match to the third and decisive set.

In the third set, everything happens: Musetti starts strong and immediately goes ahead, but is caught up by Arnaldi at 4-4. At 5-4 in favor of the number two of Italian tennis, Arnaldi cancels 4 match points and extends the match to the tie-break. Here the Ligurian tennis player saves two more match points, but eventually has to surrender with Musetti closing the tie-break 8-6.

Matteo Arnaldi bids an honorable farewell to the Swedish tournament, while Lorenzo Musetti advances to the quarterfinals where he will face Austrian Filip Misolic, number 138 ATP, who defeated Slovak Kovalik in a comeback.