Lorenzo Musetti now plays against Daniil Medvedev. © APA/afp / PIERO CRUCIATTI

Musetti delights Rome – Zverev without problems

On Mother’s Day, Lorenzo Musetti and Alexander Zverev easily played their way into the round of 16.

11 May 2025

From: do

Before the tournament, Lorenzo Musetti made no secret of his ambitions: "I'm here to win." And so far, the 23-year-old has delivered just that. After a commanding opening victory against the Finnish Virtanen, he also put in a strong performance against the significantly higher-ranked Brandon Nakashima. With a 6-4, 6-3 victory, the Azzurro gave the American little breathing room – now Daniil Medvedev awaits in the round of XNUMX.

What's striking: Musetti's play is more mature and composed, but without losing his creative style. In the first set against Nakashima, he fought his way out of a tricky match, remaining calm and relying on his strong serve and precise forehand. After the match, he thanked the crowd: "I delivered one of my best performances today – and in front of the most beautiful crowd in the world."

Zverev without effort

Defending champion Alexander Zverev is also in the round of 28. The 6-year-old from Germany clearly won his third-round match against Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas 4-6, 0-1000, only experiencing a few minor difficulties in the first set. In the battle for a quarterfinal spot at the Masters 1000 event, Zverev will now face Frenchman Arthur Fils, against whom he lost his last encounter at the Masters XNUMX tournament in Miami in three sets.

Alexander Zverev made short work of it. © ANSA / FABIO FRUSTACI

Zverev got off to a good start and secured a quick break. But then the world number two had some trouble serving himself, losing his serve twice. But Zverev found a way and won the first set after 55 minutes. This broke Gaubas's resistance. Zverev now had an easy game and secured his place after 1:25 hours.

Rune is eliminated

Earlier on Sunday, Arthur Fils (ATP 14) of France defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (ATP 19) of Greece 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, while Musetti's next opponent, Medvedev (ATP 11), beat Alexei Popyrin (ATP 6) 4-6, 1-25. Holger Rune (ATP 10) of Denmark suffered a surprise defeat after a 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(4) against Corentin Moutet (ATP 83).