Shotmakers’ Parisian paradise comes to the French Open fourth round.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz permitted just seven games dismissing Denis Shapovalov to set up a blockbuster rematch vs. Lorenzo Musetti.
The 17th-seeded Musetti was equally impressive surrendering just seven games bouncing 14th-seeded Cameron Norrie out of the Roland Garros third round.
Get ready for Alcaraz vs. Musetti the rematch.
It’s a match tennis fans have anticipated since the Roland Garros draw came out and one Alcaraz has aimed for since Musetti toppled Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 to capture his maiden ATP title in Hamburg last July.
“It’s a big challenge for me. You know, he’s playing great,” Alcaraz said of Musetti. “He has beaten really tough players, you know. Yeah, he’s a really talented player.
“I remember the match in Hamburg. It was really, really tough. Yeah, this is a match that I really looking for, really want to play that match.”
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— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 24, 2022
Both men are creative, extremely quick around the court and can play all-court tennis.
Keeping a calm mind was key for Musetti out-dueling Alcaraz in Hamburg.
When he looks across the net at the top seed, Musetti said he sees a friend, an inspiration and a man he knows he can beat.
“I see a friend. I see that he started a way, a new generation,” Musetti said of Alcaraz. “He’s the first Grand Slam title after the big three, so I think it’s sort of inspiration for us, for me, Holger, Jannik, and whoever is behind him, and trying to push him away and trying to get closer.
“So I think that the match in Hamburg gave me a lot of confidence, especially on this side. So hopefully we will go to the match—of course it’s a complete different position, different status, but I think we will enjoy, in this case, our match.”
US Open champion Alcaraz has one prediction for this fourth-round clash: Fun for all.
“I’m gonna enjoying, because it’s gonna be a really fun match,” Alcaraz said. “I would say it’s gonna be really good rallies, good shots between us, and of course is gonna be a really fun match to watch, as well.”