Lorenzo Musetti beat Ben Shelton 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to reach the fourth round at the Miami Open.
Musetti earned his first break at love in the fifth game of the opening set to take a 3-2 lead after two unforced errors and a double fault from Shelton.
Shelton saved a break point in his next service in his next service game for 3-4. Musetti served out the first set 6-4 at 15 with a backhand in the 10th game.
Musetti did not face a break point in the first set and dropped just five points in his five service games.
Shelton earned his first break at deuce in the second game of the second set to open up a 4-1 lead. Musetti earned two break-back points in the seventh game with a backhand pass and converted his first chance. The Italian player consolidated the break with a hold at 15 to draw level to 4-4. Musetti put pressure in Shelton’s next two service games and hit one of the shots of the year with a spectacular backhand passing shot. However, Shelton saved a total of five break points (two in the ninth game and three in the eleventh game) to hold on his serve.
Musetti earned his first mini-break to open up a 4-2 lead in the tie-break. Shelton won three consecutive points to take a 5-4 lead, but Musetti reeled off three points in a row to seal the tie-break 7-5, as Shelton netted a forehand on match point at 6-5.
Musetti is playing his first match as a father. Lorenzo’s girlfriend Veronica gave birth to their first child Ludovico on 15 March.
“My team was saying patience because sometimes Ben could be really frustrating with the really good serves. Some points I had an opportunity to break him in the second set, but I did not find the right ball with the right ball with the forehand. Sometimes he was serving pretty well, with the slice at the body. Even the last point was the really tough to return. I had to be really patient and try to focus on what I had to do. I think I played probably the best match of the year. The birth of my son Ludovico has given me a lot of energy”, said Musetti.
Musetti set up a fourth round match against 2024 Indian Wells champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz leads 2-1 against Musetti in their three head-to-head matches on the ATP Tour. Musetti beat Alcaraz to claim the first title of his career in Hamburg in 2022, but he did not win a set in either of his matches against his Spanish rival in 2023 at Roland Garros.
“It’s always a nice challenge, especially for me. I have a huge friendship with him and we have played so many battles on court. He is up in the score, so hopefully I can win this time, but I am looking forward to playing against him. He is a great person, a great athlete. For me it’s an inspiration so hopefully I can give my best and try to win that match”, said Musetti.
