Lorenzo Musetti has been scrapping for his life in Monte-Carlo, coming back from a set down in both of his matches.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Monte-Carlo Masters
Monte Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France (Outdoor Clay)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 10th April
Lorenzo Musetti (13) vs Matteo Berrettini
He really dug deep against Jiri Lehecka, using all his creative nous to subdue the powerful Czech. Musetti hasn’t been at his best this year, yet to reach a semifinal as we start the European clay-court swing. He had calf issues earlier this year (which effectively ended his South American clay-court season). He returned to action at the ‘Sunshine Double’ but failed to make any real impact. These surfaces should provide him with a safe space to regain his confidence. A quarterfinalist here in 2023, Musetti has won a clay-court title and won Olympic Bronze at Roland Garros last year. He is a crafty player who utilizes a wide variety of slices.
Italian Matteo Berrettini delighted the crowds in his round of 32 clash, fighting from a set down to take down top seed Alex Zverev. It was a messy victory, with both players committing a host of errors. Still, the result will have gone a long way to exorcising some of Berrettini’s Monte-Carlo demons. Two years ago, he was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury, leaving him bedridden and in agony. Berrettini started the season poorly, going 1-3 in his first three events. But he has looked more like his normal self since reaching the quarterfinals in Qatar, reaching the quarterfinal stage in three of his last four events. He was particularly impressive in Miami, taking out De Minaur before pushing Taylor Fritz to three sets in the quarters. The former French Open quarterfinalist has a decent clay-court pedigree, reaching six finals and winning four titles. However, Berrettini has never shone in this event, with the sluggish conditions doing very little for his power-based game. He prefers slightly quicker clay conditions, reaching the Madrid Open final in the past. But his confidence will be soaring after that upset won over Zverev and he could be a cheeky dark horse this week.
The Verdict: Musetti to win in straight sets at – These two Italians share the head-to-head spoils at one win apiece, with Berrettini winning their most recent meeting at last year’s Stuttgart Open. Berrettini will look to overpower Musetti, probably using his forehand to zone in on Musetti’s single-handed backhand. Musetti will look to mix things up while imparting heavy topspin off that forehand wing. I just think that these surfaces suit Musetti’s cagey approach better.
