Musetti fights but loses to Alcaraz at the ATP Finals. The Spaniard ends the year as no.1 and flies to the semi-finals. Waiting for Sinner
The task was almost impossible, everyone knew it. Lorenzo Musetti was called to a miracle against world number one Carlos Alcaraz: a victory, with any score, would have mathematically projected him to the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. But on the other side of the net there was a phenomenon, already certain of qualification after De Minaur’s success over Fritz, and determined to secure the top spot in the ranking at least until the beginning of next year.
The match, which ended in just an hour and 23 minutes with a score of 6-4, 6-1, confirmed that Alcaraz and Sinner live on a technical and mental planet all their ownand the rest of the circuit watches them from a safe distance (with binoculars). For the moment, no one has enough engine horsepower to be able to get close to them.
First set in balance, then Alcaraz turns on the turbo
Musetti starts with courage: he plays aggressivelyproactive, try not to be subjected to the Spanish. He knows that if Alcaraz were in control of the exchanges, there would be no chance of winning. In the first ten games, the match is actually balancedboth hold the service without particular worries. But the problem, for those who face Carlos Alcaraz, is always the same: you cannot afford physical and mental declines at any time. Just give up for a moment and he punishes you inexorably. Unfortunately, this is how the number one closes the set 6-4 and the match is all uphill for the Tuscan.
And in fact, in the second set the tiredness of the last few days betrays the bluewhich progressively retreats, leaving the Spaniard in control of the exchanges. That’s where Alcaraz spreads, quickly archiving the partial with a resounding 6-1.
Alcaraz-Sinner at a distance
With this victory, Alcaraz ends the year as number one in the world, ahead of Jannik Sinner: a generational duel that continues to rewrite tennis and leaves crumbs to his pursuers. The other qualifier in the group is Alex De Minaur, brilliant in overcoming Taylor Fritz 7-6, 6-3: now the Australian will challenge Sinner in a semi-final with a high level of competitive intensity. Alcaraz instead awaits the winner of the play-off between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassimetwo excellent opponents but clearly inferior on paper.
It is right to dedicate the final thought to Lorenzo MusettiThat he leaves the tournament without the result he dreamed of, but with an additional awareness: he can compete with the besthe demonstrated it since last week in the heart-pounding match he won against Novak Djokovic. And who knows, perhaps without the tiredness in his legs, the Tuscan might even have had his say in the semi-final (perhaps beating Fritz in the first match). With ifs and buts you don’t make history – not even in tennis – but without a doubt Musetti can return home proud, aware that the ATP Finals are his thing and that next season Italy’s tennis will be able to take on even more challenges.
