FORLI, September 25, 2020
Lorenzo Musetti and Thiago Monteiro will compete in Saturday’s championship match of the €88,520 Internazionali di tennis Città di Forli. Musetti benefited from the retirement of South African Llyod Harris in the semi-finals. The 18-year-old was leading 4-6, 6-0, 4-1 when Harris was forced to stop playing due to a hip injury.
“First of all, I’m sorry for Harris,” Musetti told Sportface.it afterwards. “He’s a very good guy and he deserved to win, as he was playing better than me. He was not at 100 per cent and preferred not to risk further problems, so he decided to retire.
“I was very nervous, I didn’t manage the play in these windy conditions, but clearly I’m very happy to reach my first final. The adventure at the Masters Rome gave me confidence and awareness, however I know I still have to work hard to improve the various aspects of my tennis.”
Earlier on Friday, Monteiro battled past Italy’s Andrea Pellegrino, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. The qualifier from Brazil capitialized on four of his nine break point chances to prevail after two hours and six minutes.
“This gives me a lot of confidence and good preparation for next week in Paris.”
Next week, @dThiagoMonteiro returns to Roland Garros, but the 🇧🇷 has one last piece of business to take care of on Saturday.
📽️ @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/7KPsdkZ6gZ
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 25, 2020
Monteiro is seeking his sixth ATP Challenger career trophy, his second in 2020 following his triumph in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Musetti will be the first player born in 2002 to appear in a Challenger final. The pair will meet for the first time.
