Hamburg European Open: Lorenzo Musetti survives Carlos Alcaraz comeback to win maiden ATP title

Italian teen Lorenzo Musetti defeated World No.6 Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 to win his first ATP Tour title in Hamburg. The 20-year-old noticed 5 match factors come and go within the second set earlier than finally securing a 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 victory.

“I have no words because it was a roller-coaster until the end. I had so many match points. Carlos was so good on the match points, (I had) so many chances,” Musetti mentioned in his on-court interview.

“But I think the key of the match was to keep calm and [have] all the patience [with] myself because it was really not easy. Carlos was putting so much effort in the match points when he was down, so it was not easy to find the energy to come back. But I cannot describe what I am feeling right now. I think I am still dreaming.”

“Of course I was really upset, but I tried to not show my opponent my reaction. I tried to forgive (myself for) all the match points and all the points [when] I couldn’t do it,” Musetti was quoted as saying by ATP Tour web site.

“I think that was the most (important) thing, even for me, because I didn’t expect the win after all this roller-coaster, so I’m super happy to be here and to be the champion.”

Alcaraz, who would be the youngest participant to interrupt into the world’s prime 5 since Rafael Nadal in 2005 on Monday, missed out on a sixth ATP title as he misplaced a closing for the primary time. This was the primary ATP Head to Head conflict between Musetti and Alcaraz. The Italian will climb to a career-high World No. 31 on Monday.

It was clear from early within the match that Musetti was going to throw all his talent on the Spaniard. He performed aggressively from the baseline, moved into the online when given the chance and saved the five-time ATP Tour titlist off stability with loads of selection in spin and tempo.

Alcaraz was not at his flying greatest within the championship conflict, making uncharacteristic errors, however that was partly as a result of his opponent saved him guessing and he was unable to seek out the rhythm.

Musetti earned the important break of the primary set at 3-3, shifting forward 4-3 when Alcaraz missed a backhand into the online. The Italian then closed out the opener with a forehand strategy winner and confirmed laser focus in his calm response to his workforce.

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