Musetti extends dominance over Tsitsipas to reach Madrid last 16

Lorenzo Musetti has beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas for the second time this month, defeating the Greek in straight sets at the Madrid Open on Tuesday to reach the fourth round.

The 10th seed was made to save a set point in the opening stanza before going to a tiebreaker in the second, holding his nerve to close out a 7-5, 7-6(3) victory.

Having also prevailed over Tsitsipas en route to the Monte-Carlo Masters final, Musetti’s run to the round of 16 in Madrid raises his prospects of a top-10 debut in the ATP rankings next week.

Despite his recent success, Bet365’s pre-match betting odds had Musetti priced as a +100 underdog, with Tsitsipas at -125.

Tsitsipas, who slipped out of the top 15 heading into this tournament, was blunt about his form.

“I lack confidence in my forehand, something very unusual, something I’m not used to,” he said.

“It’s frustrating. I feel I’m not doing enough, it’s too flat, without enough rotation or power.”

Tsitsipas’ loss on Tuesday leaves him facing an uphill battle to earn seeding at the 2025 French Open, with quarterfinal points to defend in Rome next week.

Meanwhile, Musetti will break into the top 10 if he beats sixth seed Alex de Minaur next, whom he also defeated in Monte-Carlo earlier this month.

“I don’t want to look at the ranking,” Musetti said.

“I just want to play my tournament and try to focus on that. Try to focus on each match. 

“But yes, the confidence and consistency and experience of winning certain matches, it reminds me a little bit of some top 10 players.”

With Novak Djokovic out and Carlos Alcaraz absent, Musetti is emerging as a serious threat in the bottom half of the draw in Spain.

Tennis betting sites have shortened Musetti’s outright odds as a result, paying +900 for the 23-year-old to claim his maiden Masters 1000 title.

Casper Ruud (+300) leads the market to win in Madrid after top seed Alexander Zverev was eliminated earlier in the day.

Jack Draper (+550), Francisco Cerundolo (+550), de Minaur (+650), Jakub Mensik (+700) and Daniil Medvedev (+700) are among the other title contenders at leading bookmakers.

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