Musetti Advances To Semi-Finals At Forli Challenger

Lorenzo Musetti and Andrea Pellegrino (photo: Marta Magni)

FORLI, September 24, 2020

Teenager Lorenzo Musetti won the all-Italian battle of the generations over 36-year-old veteran Andreas Seppi to reach the semi-finals of the Internazionali di tennis Città di Forli. In the pair’s first meeting on Thursday, the 18-year-old wild card entry was in control of the encounter, winning 61 per cent of the total points played to secure a 6-3, 6-1 victory in one hour and 18 minutes.

“A couple of years ago, I could only have dreamed of a result like this. Now that I’m in the semi-finals, I don’t want to stop. I really hope that this will be the tournament, where I can win my first Challenger title,” Musetti said.

Musetti will next take on No. 6 seed Lloyd Harris. The World No. 96 from South Africa edged past No. 4 seeded Italian Salvatore Caruso, winning 7-6(1), 7-5 in two hours and three minutes.

In the bottom half of the draw, Andrea Pellegrino of Italy and Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro have reached the stage of the final four. Pellegrino eased past Guilhermo Clezar of Brazil 6-4, 6-2, and Monteiro ended the run of US-American lucky loser Alexander Ritschard, winning 7-6(4), 6-3.

Thursday Results – Quarterfinals

Lorenzo Musetti def. Andrea Seppi 6-3 6-1

Thiago Monteiro def. Alexander Ritschard 7-6(4) 6-3

Andrea Pellegrino def. Guilherme Clezar 6-4 6-2

Lloyd Harris def. Salvatore Caruso 7-6(1) 7-5