Lorenzo Musetti is virtually in the Top 10 for the first time

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“I don’t want to look at the rankings” said Lorenzo Musetti. But the temptation is strong. In fact, today he is virtually No. 9, based on real time projections, and could show up at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia as a Top 10 player, as he has never been so far in his career. The next match at the Mutua Madrid Open, against Stefanos Tsitsipas, already becomes a decisive junction to fuel the Italian&#8217s ambitions even if it only puts up for grabs a spot in the round of 16 at the Caja Magica.

Musetti lost his first five direct confrontations with the Greek but beat him in the quarters in Monte-Carlo a few weeks ago. “Stefanos will be hungry for revenge but I think I am ready to fight again” said the 23-year-old from Tuscany. “For me to reach the final in Monte-Carlo was one of the most important milestones in my career. Tsitsipas said he was very disappointed after the match. It&#8217s a situation I&#8217ve been in many times myself. But my goal is to try to focus on my game”.

Finalist at the Caja Magica in 2019 and Roland-Garros in 2021, Tsitsipas slipped back to the No. 18 ranking position after elimination in Monte-Carlo and withdrawal after two games in Barcelona, also in the quarters, against Arthur Fils. Evident, after his success in three over Struff in the Madrid opener, is his desire for a rematch against Musetti. “He has been giving me a hard time lately, but I will try to get out on the court and correct some things that didn”t work well,” Tsitsipas said Saturday.
Last February the Greek made a surprise decision to switch racquets and soon after won his first title in an ATP 500 in Dubai.“It is not an easy decision. It requires aggressiveness and a certain risk appetite –Tsitsipas explained –because you are used to certain sensations for a long time and you don’t know what to expect. It is a delicate thing to do, especially in the middle of the season. I don’t recommend it to any tennis player unless they are 100 percent sure. In my case, I was quite convinced that it was the right thing for me. And since then I have never looked back”.

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