The number one survives the Italian’s great game to reach the round of 16
MADRID, 2 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic beat the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0) to close his ticket to the round of 16 after three in the morning. final at Roland Garros, a tremendous survival exercise for the world number one.
‘Nole’ held his own and gave everything before the recital of a Musetti who had all the cards in his game. The Italian enjoyed a forceful serve, a lethal forehand and a one-handed backhand that lifted Philippe Chatrier on more than one occasion to stay one set away from eliminating the favorite in Paris.
The current French Open champion, in search of a historical record of 25 ‘bigs’, aggressively pressed the rest in search of his option and found Musetti’s loophole in the fourth set to force a fifth in which he made a difference. The one from Belgrade will face the Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo in the round of 16.
The number one had a hard time and suffered since the second set escaped him. The first was textbook for the Belgrade player, although he allowed the break and recovered quickly, something more consistent and effective thanks to a glorious point to make it 7-5. ‘Nole’ left everything there, almost literally, because his strength failed him later.
The Serbian took a 4-1 lead, but the demands that Musetti put on him ended up having a dent, turning the set around until forcing sudden death. There, with the tension at its maximum, Djokovic had the chance to go two sets to zero, but the Italian ensured a long night in Paris, with the number one very committed.
The defender of the title faltered against a very in tune opponent who took advantage of his moment to endorse a 2-6 in the third and put the bell within reach. However, Djokovic, in his legendary crusade, had other plans and gritted his teeth to stay alive in Paris. With the match headed to ungodly hours, the Serbian brought out the best version of himself to force Musetti to the maximum.
The Italian, who found some sensations in the Turin Challenger before Roland Garros in the middle of a bad season, saw another victory over his prestigious rival close after the one in Monte Carlo last year, but as soon as he gave some respite with his serve, Djokovic He broke in with the break in the fifth game and another one in the seventh.
Musetti’s setback still wanted a little more celebration, but the Serbian responded with another point of greater caliber if possible to win over Philippe Chatrier and start serving the fifth set. The champion of 24 ‘greats’ was already in his element, grown up in the middle of a match that he will not forget and that he unceremoniously declared in a resounding 6-0.