FORLI, September 22, 2020

Lorenzo Musetti has advanced to the second round of the Internazionali di tennis Città di Forli to meet top seeded US-American Frances Tiafoe on Wednesday. The 19-year-old Italian emerged victorious from the battle of the generations with Russian veteran Teymuraz Gabashvili, winning 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday afternoon.

Musetti sent down seven aces and won 73 per cent of his first-service points to seal victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

6-2 6-4 contro Teymuraz #Gabashvili: buona la prima per Lorenzo #Musetti, che nel penultimo punto del match ha servito da sotto sorprendendo l’avversario. Spavalderia? Il contrario, fidatevi 🔦 #Forlì #ATPChallenger #tennis pic.twitter.com/alp1VjZwSA

— Matteo Mosciatti (@matmosciatti11) September 22, 2020

“I am very satisfied,” Musetti said after the match. “I knew I was facing a strong opponent with incredible shots.I showed a good reaction after losing my serve in the second set, that’s fine.”

Musetti arrived in Northern Italy after his great run into the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome.  What was it like to return to Challenger level after his success at the Foro Italico? “For now I have only played a few ATP tournaments, the Masters 1000 experience was great, but I must admit that here in Forlì it is really good. I am really pleased that several spectators have come to cheer for me, I can’t wait to get back on the court to challenge Tiafoe.”

Tuesday Results – First round

Lorenzo Musetti def. Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2 6-4

Bjorn Fratangelo def. Filippo Baldi 6-2 3-6 7-5

Riccardo Bonadio def. Giulio Zeppieri 6-3 6-3

Alexander Ritschard def. Dayne Kelly 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4

Andreas Seppi def. Jules Okala 7-6(5) 6-2