Italian Loranzo Musetti, 19 years old on March 3, confirmed on Tuesday his conditions to stand out in world tennis by eliminating Argentine Diego Schwartzman from the Mexican Open with partial 6-3, 2-6 and 6-4, third favorite of the tournament that takes place in Acapulco.
In the first set SChwartzman, ninth in the ATP standings, broke Musetti's serve in the fifth game, after which the Carrara-born young man made adjustments and it took four 'games' in a row.
With a parallel backhand with poison and well dosed 'drop shots', The Italian caused errors by the South American, especially with his forehand, enough to score the sleeve 6-3.
In the second set, the Argentine recovered. He broke in the fourth game and from there he was safe with his serve before an impatient Musetti, unable to answer.
With an unusual cold blood in a man of 19 years, andn the third set the Italian came out for the victory. Calmly he secured the serve, showed variety in the blows from the back of the court and surprised Schwartzman with two breaks in a row to lead 4-0.
Considered one of the safest players on the circuit in decisive moments, the Argentine took the lead 15-40 in the sixth game, but Musetti showed maturity again, was better in points at the net and kept serving to take the lead 5-1.
Frustrated, Schwartzman lost his spark, lost focus, including a double fault, and his opponent had three chances to win the game. The Argentine bet on blows at the limits of the court and saved to get closer to 5-2.
Eager to win, Musetti complicated the closing with unforced errors and lost serve in the eighth 'game'; Schwartzman recovered the first of the two 'breaks' down and came close at 5-3.
Game 10 was epic. Musetti rose from 0-30 and maintained his serve to sign the most important victory of his professional career.
“I have mixed emotions, I am very tired and I cannot describe my emotions, the third set was very hard, Diego got up from 5-1 and it was difficult for me to close, “he said.
In the top 16 phase, the Italian will face the American Frances Tiafoe this Wednesday, winner 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) of his compatriot Brandon Nakashima.