Lorenzo Musetti is back. The 23-year-old Italian fought through a mid-match slump to defeat qualifier Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 at the ATP 500 in Washington on Wednesday, reaching his first ATP quarterfinal in three months.
The world No. 15, seeded fourth in the American capital, showed flashes of his best tennis after a difficult period that saw him exit Roland Garros and Wimbledon early due to personal issues. His Washington campaign began unconventionally — compatriot Matteo Arnaldi retired after just 40 minutes of their first-round encounter — but the victory over Vukic offered genuine evidence that Musetti is regaining his form.
Playing under sweltering conditions that shifted from bright sunshine to heavy humidity, Musetti dictated play from the baseline with his trademark single-handed backhand and elegant shot-making. He broke early in the first set, and despite facing two break points at 5-3, held firm to close it out 6-3.
The second set followed a similar pattern until Musetti suffered what he later described as a mental lapse, dropping five of six games to hand Vukic the set 7-5. The Italian had held multiple chances for a double break but failed to convert, and the Australian qualifier — ranked No. 105 — capitalised on Musetti's dip in concentration to level the match.
But Musetti regrouped decisively in the decider. He broke Vukic immediately and never looked back, with his serve firing consistently and his groundstrokes finding the lines at crucial moments. After two hours and 16 minutes, he converted his second match point and unleashed a cathartic roar.
"It was important for me to feel that intensity again under pressure," Musetti said after the match. "I'm surprised I could play at this level already after everything that happened in the past weeks."
The quarterfinal is Musetti's 45th at ATP level and his first since Barcelona in April. He becomes the third Italian man this century to reach the last eight in Washington, following Jannik Sinner (champion in 2021) and Flavio Cobolli (runner-up in 2024).
Musetti will face either Rafael Jodar or Kei Nishikori for a place in the semifinals.
Sources
- https://www.ubitennis.com/blog/2026/07/29/atp-washington-musetti-e-tornato-batte-vukic-e-ritrova-un-quarto-di-finale-dopo-tre-mesi/
