ITALIAN Lorenzo Musetti will head into the Wimbledon semi-finals as the clear underdog, with the 25th seed winning through to the final four after ousting American Taylor Fritz in five sets. Musetti is the only player in the semi-finals outside the top five, and will face seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic for a spot in the final.
While Djokovic got to rest up due to Australian Alex de Minaur needing to withdraw following in injury in his final few points against Arthur Fils in the quarter finals, Musetti had to battle through three hours and 27 minutes on court before getting past Fritz in an almighty battle.
The Italian won 3-6 7-6 6-2 3-6 6-1, coming back from a set down, then having to regain momentum in the decider after the American drew level in the fourth at two sets apiece. He 35 winners to 39 unforced errors, compared to Fritz’s 41 and 55, though 10 of the American’s winners came from aces.
He broke six times to four, and finished the stronger of the pair, winning 76 per cnet of his first serve points, while Fritz uncharacteristically dropped his level on that front, only winning 65 per cent as both combatants produced a 61 per cent clip.
“I don’t think I yet realise what I’ve done,” Musetti said post-match. “Taylor was in great shape and I feel I played a fantastic match. I kept the best for the end.
“Taylor was leading the game in the first and I couldn’t return well so I changed my attitude. That made the difference. Hopefully on Friday I’ll have the same one. I expect a big fight but I’m an ambitious guy and I like to be challenged.”
The 22-year-old will play off in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time, a far cry different to Djokovic who will casually enter his 52nd Grand Slam final four. Of course he is just two wins away from winning a record-breaking 25 Grand Slam titles and surpassing Margaret Court in the process.
By reaching the semi-finals, Musetti is up to 16th in the world, just one spot off his career-high of 15th. If he can cause the David against Goliath upset, then the Italian will move up to 14th, with a Wimbledon title resulting in a rise into 13th spot.
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