Lorenzo Musetti, 20, admitted that his level against Novak Djokovic was not very good and also revealed that there were probably «too many expectations» about his Paris Masters quarter-final encounter with the Serb.
Musetti, who enjoys a career-high ranking of No. 23 in the world, has been playing some good tennis of late and was certainly confident in his chances heading into Djokovic’s match. In the end, Musetti didn’t even come close to beating Djokovic as the Serb ousted the Italian 6-0 6-3.
«Maybe there were too many expectations about this match and I couldn’t handle it. Honestly, the way I played today, I wouldn’t have won with Ruud, Cilic and Basilashvili. So maybe even playing my best tennis, it would have taken 6-06- 3 tonight from Nole,» Musetti said, according to Mario Boccardi.
Lorenzo Musetti: «Maybe there were too many expectations about this match and I couldn’t handle it. Honestly, the way I played today, I wouldn’t have won with Ruud, Cilic and Basilashvili. So maybe even playing my best tennis I would have taken 6-0 6-3 tonight from Nole.»
pic.twitter.com/gExaylJTEW – Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) November 5, 2022
Musetti won a total of three games against Djokovic
Djokovic came out firing against Musetti as he pummeled the Italian in the first set.
In the first set, Musetti didn’t have any games or break points as it was total domination by Djokovic. After easily losing the first set, Musetti served out the second game of the second set and also broke Djokovic in the third game to open a 2-1 lead.
Just when it looked like Musetti could do something, he was broken in back-to-back games as Djokovic won four games in a row to rally from an early break to take a 5-2 lead in the second set. In game nine, Djokovic routinely served out for the match when he realized the first match point from him.
After the match, Musetti suggested that he might decide to skip next week’s Next Gen ATP Finals. «At the moment they are scheduled. I will decide in the next few days. Sometimes I have played six weeks in a row this season, I have to consider the Davis Cup as well.»
On the one hand I want to play, on the other I need to rest,» Musetti said.
Lorenzo Musetti not sure about playing the Next Gen Finals in Milan
«At the moment they are scheduled. I will decide in the next few days. Sometimes I have played six weeks in a row this season, I have to consider the Davis Cup as well.»
On the one hand I want to play, on the other I need to rest.» pic.twitter.com/lHJ7CxVENu – Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) November 5, 2022
