Musetti handles Mpetshi Perricard in his US Open debut
World No. 10 Lorenzo Musetti faced a tricky first-round match in New York against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who reached the semifinals in Winston-Salem last week.
The Frenchman, who relies heavily on his serve to control rallies, troubled the Italian long enough to take the first set in a tiebreak, 7-3. But without a single break point to his name and with only 12% of return points won, he began to struggle on his own service games.
Three breaks in the middle of each set were enough for Musetti, who secured his spot in the second round with a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory in 2 hours and 36 minutes. Just like last year against Opelka, the Monte Carlo finalist found the solutions to overcome a big server in his opening match on the New York courts.
He will face the winner of the match between Quentin Halys and David Goffin on Thursday.
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