Lorenzo Musetti, the 19-year-old #NextGenATP star, advanced to the fourth round at Roland Garros on Saturday with a thrilling five-set victory against Marco Cecchinato. No points were more exciting than when Musetti hit an array of sensational hot shots against his fellow Italian.
One of those shots, which brought the crowd to its feet, was a behind-the-back volley winner after the Italian had approached the net following his return of an underarm serve.
Musetti, who threw his arms up in the air after hitting the audacious shot, also produced a stunning lob on the backhand side during the third set. When asked about both moments, happily reflected on what he produced.
“Today was maybe two of my best shots ever. I think especially the first one because it was unexpected,” Musetti said. “The other one was a lob, so the only thing that I could do was to try and re-lob him, and it came in.
“The other one was a little bit more [like] magic. I also laughed about it, because I wanted to do it, but if I try it 10 times, I probably will not be able to do it even once. It was sort of lucky and magic. I don't know how to call it, but it was fun.”
The World. No. 76, who is now 16-8 for the season, looks full of confidence and will aim to produce more flashes of brilliance like these when he faces 2016 Roland Garros champion Novak Djokovic on Monday.
One of those shots, which brought the crowd to its feet, was a behind-the-back volley winner after the Italian had approached the net following his return of an underarm serve.
Musetti, who threw his arms up in the air after hitting the audacious shot, also produced a stunning lob on the backhand side during the third set. When asked about both moments, happily reflected on what he produced.
“Today was maybe two of my best shots ever. I think especially the first one because it was unexpected,” Musetti said. “The other one was a lob, so the only thing that I could do was to try and re-lob him, and it came in.
“The other one was a little bit more [like] magic. I also laughed about it, because I wanted to do it, but if I try it 10 times, I probably will not be able to do it even once. It was sort of lucky and magic. I don't know how to call it, but it was fun.”
The World. No. 76, who is now 16-8 for the season, looks full of confidence and will aim to produce more flashes of brilliance like these when he faces 2016 Roland Garros champion Novak Djokovic on Monday.