CAGLIARI/STARNBERG, May 2, 2024
Lorenzo Musetti of Italy has booked his spot in the quarterfinals of the Sardegna Open. In a rain-interrupted second-round match on Thursday, the No. 2 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Cagliari defeated Argentine qualifier Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-6(4), 7-6(4).
Musetti won 69 per cent of his first-service points and outpointed his rival 89-77 to prevail after two hours and 22 minutes.
Raising his level 📈@Lorenzo1Musetti digs deep to overcome Cerundolo 7-6(4), 7-6(4) in the second round of Cagliari#ATPChallenger | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/LrfQKbRiSP
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 2, 2024
“It wasn’t an easy match,” said Musetti. “Multiple interruptions and slow conditions made it difficult to finish points. I played good tennis only in particular situations. The key was my ability to keep my nerves steady in the two tie-breaks. At this stage of my season, it’s important for me is to win without paying too much attention to how I achieve it.
“I’m happy with the support from the crowd. I have great memories in Cagliari, and it’s always nice to see so many passionate people in the stands. They are all very welcoming and treat me with great kindness. I hope to play better on Friday.”
Up next for Musetti will be seventh-seeded Portuguese Nuno Borges, who fought past Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 in two hours and 33 minutes.
Later in the afternoon, Federico Coria of Argentina knocked out top seed Frances Tiafoe from the United States 6-1, 7-5 to meet eighth-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi in the quarterfinals.
A 2️⃣1️⃣-shot rally on match point ‼️#ATPChallenger | @fedeecoria pic.twitter.com/4edCFGcSea
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 2, 2024
THURSDAY RESULTS
Second Round – Singles
Marton Fucsovics (Hun) b. Zachary Svajda (Usa) 6-3 6-3
Luciano Darderi (Ita) b. Camilo Ugo Carabelli (Arg) 6-3 6-0
Daniel Elahi Galan (Col) b. Christopher Eubanks (Usa) 3-6 6-2 6-2
Lorenzo Musetti (Ita) b. Juan Manuel Cerundolo (Arg) 7-6 7-6
Nuno Borges (Por) b. Yoshihito Nishioka (Jpn) 6-3 6-7 6-3
Mariano Navone (Arg) b. Shintaro Mochizuki (Jpn) 6-0 4-6 6-3
Federico Coria (Arg) b. Frances Tiafoe (Usa) 6-1 7-5
