Musetti defeats Fritz to reach Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time
Musetti ends Fritz 6-2, 7-5, 6-4
Fritz hopes to reach the quarter-finals for the second time (2024) throughout his illustrious career. He achieved a career-high ranking#4 in autumn 2024 But currently ranked #9. With ten career titles under his belt, he reached his only Grand Slam final at the Open Tennis Championships 2024 us Open (l. Sinner).
The twenty-eight-year-old from California dropped a set in the first round and the previous round in a memorable win over three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of the season.
His fourth-round opponent, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, has not won the title since the final. 2022 Naples Championship. Despite widespread drought, twenty threeReached three finals last season and qualified for Nitto for the first time ATP finals. As a result, his current ranking is a career-high #5. Last year in Melbourne, he lost to American Ben Shelton in a tight four-set third round match.
The level is 3-3 Fritz has won both indoor hard-court matches, most recently in straight sets during the round-robin stage. 2025 Nitto ATP finals.
Musetti won the toss and elected to catch the ball. Fritz misses out as Rod Laver Arena roof opens 3/4 In the first service game, but with an ace out, Musetti double-faulted and faced deuce and break point, but still maintained the tie.
With the Italian positioned well behind the baseline, Fritz made three consecutive forehand errors and faced two deuces and three break points, but hit an ace on the tee and a missed lob from Musetti hit his opponent.
this 5The seed hit three winners, including two aces and an inside forehand to win game point, while Fritz made three consecutive errors and lost serve. Musetti’s backhand slice was very effective, and he consolidated the break after holding serve. 4-2 Fritz, on the other hand, missed four consecutive first serves, made three additional errors and lost serve. The Italian served with a new ball and hit an ace off the tee to seal the win. 6-2 Incredible inside forehand winner.
Fritz took the lead in serving in the second game and easily held serve. 15 Musetti, on the other hand, insisted on the level of love. The American hit three consecutive winners, including his third ace, and held on 2-1 Has an excellent forehand.
Musetti dazzled the crowd with another ace and a straight forehand running pass, but he faced a break point thanks to his second double fault. he managed to hold on 2-2 With a winning forehand and Fritz’s error.
As the unforced errors piled up, the American switched tactics with a winning serve-and-volley game, holding on to the match despite facing a break point and a deuce. 3-2. During the changeover, Fritz had his abdomen taped and was evaluated by a physical therapist.
world#5 At the beginning of the sixth game, he tied the score at 3 with his fifth ace and a beautiful forehand lob. Fritz hit two winners, including his fourth ace on game point, to hold on for love, while Musetti hit two winners, including his sixth ace, to hold on to game point. 4-4.
The U.S. hit two consecutive winners with the new ball, including an ace, and held on 30 Musetti maintained the lead in the service set and hit three consecutive winners to tie the game. 5-5.
While Fritz was still frustrated and impatient, Musetti hit three break points with great defense and fantastic baseline shots on the run, finishing with a huge diagonal backhand. Musetti scored two consecutive aces in the midfield to consolidate the break point and seal the victory. 7-5.
Although Fritz was consistently defeated and manipulated, he refused to surrender. He served first in the third game and, despite hitting his sixth ace, faced three break points and lost serve on three more unforced errors.
Musetti deftly intertwined lobs, slices and topspin to confuse his opponents and consolidate the break point with his ninth ace 2-0. Fritz double-faulted again, but he won three straight games, including two more aces, to stay in the game. 1-2.
Calm and precise, Musetti hit a wonderful inside-out forehand short ball into the penalty area for his tenth ace 3-1. Made in Fritz 3/5 First serve, including an ace off the tee, and controlled with ease 15 for 2-3. Serving with the new ball, Musetti maintained a very high level with a winning serve and volley and his 11th ace.
world#9 The seventh set started with three straight aces, including his 10th ace, and was held with love 3-4 Musetti hit two consecutive winners, including another ace, to take the lead 5-3.
Fritz serves to stay in the game, 6/8 First serve, faced with a tie but held on 4-5 Musetti returns after being overcooked. The Italian, who served in the match and secured a coveted spot in the quarter-finals, opened with an ace and sealed the victory with a winning forehand volley and an unreturnable drop shot.
It was an amazing display of skill, patience and diversity. He reached the Australian quarter-finals for the first time with his second major win over a top-10 player.
Musetti finished with 13 aces and 2 double faults to earn a stunning victory 84% of the first sum 69Percentage of second serve points scored. He was equally effective on his return, winning games 36% of the first sum 44Percentage of second serve points scored. he hit 33 The winner arrives twenty four Unforced error and saved 2/2 Breakpoint during conversion 4/9.
The Italian twice reached the penultimate round of Grand Slam level – Wimbledon 2024 and Roland Garros 2025 . With the level he showed in this straight-sets victory, could this be the year he lifts his first Grand Slam trophy?
Standing in his way to another semi-final is ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. This thirty-eight-year-old Serbian has amazing talents twenty four The overall Grand Slam champion was defeated by Jacob Mencic in the last round and won the first three games in straight sets. Will he be able to withstand the versatility Musetti possesses, especially over the long distance?
Although before #1 leading 8-1Including a three-set win in the Greek Championship final last fall, they haven’t met in a Grand Slam since Wimbledon. 2024. Musetti, who is fifteen years younger, looks ready to ride the wave and reach the Final Four. With age and huge crowd support, the Italian is expected to win a second victory over the legendary elder statesman.
