STUTTGART/STARNBERG, June 14, 2023
Lorenzo Musetti continued his fine run of form on grass by reaching the quarterfinals of the Boss Open in Stuttgart. The 21-year-old #NextGenATP Italian defeated Frenchman Gregoire Barrere 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday.
Musetti, who rose to a career-high No. 17 in the ATP Rankings on Monday after his fourth-round run at Roland Garros, struck eight aces and won 82 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in one hour and 36 minutes.
Through in style 🙌
Musetti defeats Barrere 6-3 6-3 to make his first career grass quarter-final!#BOSSOPEN pic.twitter.com/TSuIK9eJko
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 14, 2023
“Today I think I played really great tennis,” said Musetti, who will next take on US-American Frances Tiafoe, a 7-6(2), 6-4 winner over Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic. “I showed that I can play really, really well even on grass. I surprised [myself] a little bit, because I was serving really big, especially in the important moments.
“I’m really happy because Gregoire is a really good player and I was thinking he could be a tough opponent, but today I think I showed a really great level.”
In other action, Hubert Hurkacz of Poland rallied from a set down to overcome Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5). The World No. 14 fired 21 aces and saved two of three break point chances he faced to prevail after two hours and 23 minutes.
Next, Hurkacz will play Christopher O’Connell from Australia, who beat No. 7 seed Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 7-6(5), 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 53 minutes.
