Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti will face compatriot Marco Cecchinato in the first round of the Croatia Open on Thursday.
Musetti earned his first ATP tour championship at the Hamburg European Open last week. He has won 19 of his 35 games played thus far this season. The 20-year-old won the opening round match against Dusan Lajovic with scores of 6-7(4), 7-6(4), and 6-3 after rallying from a set down. After that, he won over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Emil Ruusuvuori to get to the semifinals. He subsequently defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6(3) to go to the championship round, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz. Musetti defeated the Spaniard by scores of 6-4, 6-7(6), and 6-4 to win the match and climb 31 positions in the ATP rankings to No. 31.
The 151st-ranked player in the world, Cecchinato, has won three of nine matches so far this season. Cecchinato has largely played on the Challenger circuit and in the ATP level tournament qualifying rounds. The Italian played in a variety of Challenger events following his second-round exit at the French Open before advancing to the Croatia Open main draw. Cecchinato defeated Mili Poljicak, a local kid, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to go to the competition’s round of 16.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Marco Cecchinato Match Details
- Tournament: Croatia Open
- Date: July 28th, 2022
- Venue: Umag, Croatia
- Surface: Clay
- Round: Round of 16
- Category: Men’s Singles
- Prize Money: €534,555.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Marco Cecchinato head to head record
Musetti has a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Cecchinato, having beaten him 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the third round of the French Open last year.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Marco Cecchinato Prediction
Musetti will go into the contest as the favourite because of his recent strong play. The 20-year-old will be upbeat at Umag after winning the Hamburg European Open. Musetti can produce strong angles as well as a lot of topspin on his groundstrokes, especially his backhand.
Cecchinato plays a strong defence, and his ability to roam around the court will be helpful in defending against Musetti’s groundstrokes. If the 29-year-old is to have a chance against his countryman, he must perform at the top of his game.
Given his previous results, Musetti ought to be able to defeat Cecchinato and advance to the Umag quarterfinals.
Prediction: Musetti to win in straight sets.
Lorenzo Musetti last three performances
- Croatia Open: Round of 32- b. Bedene 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
- Hamburg Open: Final- b. Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4
- Hamburg Open: Semifinal- b. Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6(3)
Marco Cecchinato last three performances
- Croatia Open: Round of 32- b. Poljicak 6-1, 5-7, 6-2
- Trieste Challenger: Round of 16- l. Zhang 3-6, 2-6
- Trieste Challenger: Round of 32- b. Martin 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
Broadcast and Live Stream Details
- US – Tennis Channel
- UK – Tennis TV (live streaming)
- Australia – beIN Sports
- Canada – TSN
- India – Discovery/ Tennis TV
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