Musetti On Acapulco Run: 'The Best Week Of My Life'
Lorenzo Musetti described his run to his first ATP 500 semi-final at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC as “the best week of my life” on Thursday night.
The 19-year-old, who has played just 11 tour-level matches, beat former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 7-6(3), converting his seventh match point for a memorable victory that helps him break into the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time on Monday.
“It is really tough to describe how I feel right now,” said Musetti. “One word is tired, almost exhausted, but I’m really, really happy. I am in a [500-level] semi-final, finally, and I will be in the Top 100 next week. A lot of my goals came true tonight. I performed really well and I am proud of myself.
“[It’s] the best of week of my life, simple. I came here to playing qualifying and of course I wanted to get through it and gain some points and experience. But I didn’t expect to reach the semi-finals, for sure. I am really excited about this and I am excited about how I am playing.”
The #NextGenATP Italian star has already beaten third-seeded Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the first round and American Frances Tiafoe in the second round.
“I think this week I can do everything… I don’t want to lose,” said Musetti. “Even tonight, I had a lot of match points to win. I was a break up and then lost it, but tennis is a mental game and the key is to stay focused. I stayed in the match.”
Musetti will now prepare to challenge top-seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Acapulco semi-finals on Friday night.
“Tsitsipas will be really tough, he is playing well,” said Musetti, who reached his first ATP Tour semi-final in October 2020 in Sardinia (l. to Djere). “But I am playing well too. Every day is a different day. I will face one of the biggest guys on Tour and I will try to do my best. Let’s see what happens.
“I will try to sleep as soon as I can. I will relax tomorrow and chill, then from 8pm I will warm up. I will try to give my best. I don’t feel tired in my head, or [have] cramps physically, so I think I will be fine for tomorrow.”