In one of the most remarkable performances of the 2025 Italian Open, Italy’s own Lorenzo Musetti stunned the tennis world by defeating defending champion Alexander Zverev 7-6(1), 6-4 to reach the semifinals.
The 23-year-old Italian, ranked No. 9 in the world, delivered a masterclass on the clay courts of Rome, showcasing his exceptional skill, mental fortitude, and tactical brilliance in front of a raucous home crowd.
Musetti’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking. The match started with intensity, as both players fought tooth and nail for every point. The first set was a high-quality affair, with both players holding serve comfortably until the tiebreak. Musetti, however, took over in the tiebreak, dominating Zverev with his precise groundstrokes and expert shot placement, winning it 7-1.
The second set saw Musetti continue to control the match, breaking Zverev early and maintaining that advantage. His serve, movement, and forehand were firing on all cylinders, leaving the German No. 2 with little room to maneuver. Despite Zverev’s efforts to recover, Musetti remained unshaken, and he sealed the win 6-4 with a composed finish.
With this victory, Musetti has now secured his place in the semifinals of Rome for the first time in his career. He will face World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, in what promises to be an electrifying matchup. Musetti’s win over Zverev was one of the most impressive of the tournament, and it has left fans and analysts alike raving about his talent and potential.
A Historical Milestone and Unforgettable Tennis
Many fans and pundits have already likened Musetti’s performance to some of the greatest clay-court players in history, with some even drawing comparisons to the legendary Roger Federer. Musetti’s elegant shot-making, particularly his backhand, was on full display, and he took the match to a level that left Zverev struggling to keep up.
“UNA DELLE PARTITE PIÙ BELLE DI SEMPRE. HA RIDICOLIZZATO UN EX N. 1 DEL MONDO. A TRATTI MI HA RICORDATO IL MIGLIOR FEDERER,” said one enthusiastic fan, translating to “One of the most beautiful matches ever. He made an ex-world No. 1 look silly. At times, he reminded me of the best Federer.”
With the prospect of a final featuring both Musetti and Sinner, the Italian tennis community is buzzing with excitement. The possibility of an all-Italian final at the Italian Open, especially with the rich history of the tournament, would be an extraordinary moment for the sport in Italy.
As Musetti prepares to face Alcaraz, he will have the full backing of the home crowd as he looks to continue his dream run. With his extraordinary level of play, Musetti has shown that he’s ready to make his mark on the ATP Tour, and fans can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.