Lorenzo Musetti was unfazed by an unexpected late change of opponent on Tuesday at the Erste Bank Open, with the Italian passing Hamad Medjedovic to kick-start his ATP 500 campaign.
Fourth seed Musetti had faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in Saturday’s draw in Vienna, but the Greek was forced to withdraw shortly before the match due to a back injury. The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals, presented by PIF champion Medjedovic, played like a lucky loser, but Musetti capped off the Serbian’s powerful play with a stylish 79-minute display.
“There was a late switch, but of course I think I did a good job of focusing on my things and what I have to do when I step on the field,” Musetti said after his first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Medjedovic. “I think it was a solid performance. Nothing special, but definitely what I needed in those moments, to stay solid and stay focused.
“I had a really good attitude today after being a bit nervous at the beginning. It was a great response, and that’s what we’re focusing on, and then I think the tennis will come.”
Now 39-17 for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Musetti will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round after the Argentinian defeated #NextGenATP star Nicolai Budkov Kjaer 6-3, 6-3. Musetti, who is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, is looking for a deep run in Vienna to boost his chances of a Nitto ATP Finals debut.
Andrei Rublev’s outside hopes of reaching the Nitto ATP Finals for a sixth consecutive year suffered a major blow when the seventh seed suffered an early elimination in Vienna. Cameron Norrie provided a fast start and a fast finish to win 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2 against Rublev, who is ranked 15th in the Live Race, and level the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 3-3.
Home favorite Filip Misolic and Francisco Cerundolo were also winners of the first round in the Austrian capital on Tuesday. Wildcard Misolic defeated Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-5, 7-6(6) to set up a meeting with third seed Alex de Minaur. Misolic has moved up nine places to No. 86 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings by reaching the second round on home soil, allowing him to surpass his career high of No. 92 in next Monday’s edition of the PIF ATP Rankings.
Argentinian Cerundolo defeated Alex Michelsen 6-3, 6-1. He will next face eighth seed Alexander Bublik for a spot in the quarterfinals.
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