ATP Athens: Musetti narrowly avoids exit against Wawrinka and stays alive in the Race to the Masters

Lorenzo Musetti came close to an exit against Stan Wawrinka before prevailing 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in Athens. Trailing in the second-set tie-break, the Italian found the resources to turn the match around and keep his dream of qualifying for Turin alive.

Lorenzo Musetti began his quest for a ticket to the ATP Finals this Wednesday. The Italian, relegated to 9th place in the Race behind Félix Auger-Aliassime, must win the Athens tournament to hope to be among the eight qualified players.

For his debut in Greece, Musetti was drawn against Stan Wawrinka, a player who is always difficult to handle despite the passing years. The world number 9 struggled, losing the first set 6-4, before finding himself two points away from defeat in the second-set tie-break, trailing 5-4 with two serves to follow for Wawrinka.

After reversing the momentum in the tie-break by winning the next three points, the Italian freed himself and managed an early break in the final set. An advantage he maintained to get through this first round 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 25 minutes of play.

Musetti therefore remains alive in the Race to the Masters, with a quarter-final scheduled tomorrow against Alexandre Müller.