Musetti knocks out new world number one Zverev in Paris
Lorenzo Musetti defeated Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 6-2 in the second round of the Paris Masters, ending the German’s first match as world number one. Musetti recovered from 5-2 down in the opening tie-break, then broke twice in the second set. The Italian advanced to face French player Luca Van Assche.
Sports··Morning
Musetti ends Zverev’s first match at the top
Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti beat Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 6-2 in the second round of the Paris Masters. The German was playing his first match as world number one after a ceremony at the Plenitude Arena on Monday. Musetti completed the victory in 100 minutes and advanced to meet French player Luca Van Assche for a quarter-final place.[1], [2]
Musetti won 79 per cent of points behind his first serve and hit 29 winners against 12 unforced errors. The first set nevertheless went to a tie-break without either player breaking serve. Zverev moved ahead 4-1 and then 5-2 in the breaker, but Musetti took the next five points to claim the opening set.[1]
Two breaks settle the second set
In the second set, Musetti broke twice and kept control of the match. His varied backhand exchanges included low slices that made Zverev bend to reach the ball. The Italian broke for 2-1, held to move 3-1 ahead and secured another break for 5-2. He finished the match with consecutive aces, extending the momentum from his first-set recovery.[2]
Musetti said he was surprised by the standard of tennis he had played against Zverev. He felt the opening set could have gone either way because the German served well, before he settled more comfortably into the rallies in the second. Musetti arrived in Paris after winning the title in Lyon ten days earlier, a result that ended seven successive losses in tour-level finals.[1], [2]
Zverev criticises his own display
Zverev said Musetti had played well and that his own performance had been poor. He described it as possibly one of his worst matches in recent months. Although he called the court very fast, he also said that was how an indoor-season court should play. Zverev’s next tournament appearance is scheduled at the season-ending Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Finals in Turin.[2]
The win put Musetti 4-2 ahead in his meetings with Zverev and improved his indoor record this season to seven wins and one defeat. It was his second career victory over a reigning world number one. The earlier win came against Novak Djokovic at the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2023. Musetti was ranked number 24 when he recorded this Paris victory.[2]
