Lorenzo Musetti upsets Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo's round of 16
It was the world No. 1's first tournament in more than a month, having missed Indian Wells and Miami.
He stomped his racquet in frustration as if it was a pesky bug. At one point, he slammed something against his bench, drawing boos from the crowd. After two sets, he had won a paltry 26 percent of second-serve points and was broken seven times.
It was a gloomy day for Novak Djokovic during his round-of-16 match in Monte Carlo—and that was before the rainfall.
The wet interruption came at 1-1 in the third set, and when the world No. 1 took the first point upon resumption to hold, most viewers surely thought the stoppage would stop Djokovic’s bleeding, and forecast a victory.
Instead, it delayed the never-inevitable: a pre-quarterfinal loss by Djokovic, to the talented Lorenzo Musetti, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
“I’m struggling not to cry. It’s really an emotional win,” said Musetti. “I think it’s still a dream for me.”
Already with world-class command of his one-handed backhand and slice, the 21-year-old world No. 21 was pesky, too—particularly at 3-3 in the third. Leading Djokovic 0-15, Musetti withstood a barrage of heavy groundstrokes before tracking down a so-so volley from the Serb, and firing the reply for a winner.
On the next point, Musetti cracked a second-serve return for a stone-cold winner, giving him triple break point. Two points later, a Djokovic error—his 22nd of the match—gave Musetti a massive opening.
With two more holds, and on his fourth match point, Musetti ultimately took advantage of it, giving him the biggest win of his young career and a familiar foe in the quarterfinals: compatriot Jannik Sinner. That 21-year-old Italian is fresh off deep runs in Indian Wells and Miami, and he also saved a match point in his Thursday win over Hubert Hurkacz (3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1).
“For sure, not easy conditions,” Musetti confirmed after a contest that featured 15 combined service breaks. But he managed them well. With an aggressive game that can work wonders in any environment, Musetti never allowed Djokovic into a comfort zone.
Like the rain delay, Musetti’s two match-point errors from 5-4, 40-15 seemed ominous for the underdog. And on his third chance to win, Musetti sprayed a backhand well wide. But Djokovic made the costlier errors, and the fourth time was a charm for the charming Italian.
As for Djokovic, questions surfaced about a possible injury, given the arm sleeve he wore. He would have none of it in post-match press.
“I cannot say nothing,” said the 22-time Grand Slam champion. “I’m okay. I’m fine. Congrats to him. We move on.”