Musetti saves 2 MPs, reaches US Open R3

Lorenzo Musetti reversed his fortunes in a flash Wednesday at the US Open.

After facing two match points at 4-5 in the fifth set of his match against Miomir Kecmanovic, the Italian rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 victory and with it a place in the third round at Flushing Meadows.

“It was a hell of a match, a roller-coaster I would say,” Musetti said. “Of course he was playing really well in the middle of the fifth and I think in a way he deserved the situation that we were playing. But of course I served really well when I was struggling at the end and I found a way, somehow. I’m really happy to [go through] a really good battle with a good friend.”

Musetti has found the form of his career, reaching his first major semi-final at Wimbledon and claiming the bronze medal in men’s singles at the Paris Olympics. But the 18th seed flirted with an early exit in New York.

Kecmanovic held two match points on return but was never able to gain control of the point on either occasion. Musetti finished the match with 51 winners and he converted six of his 13 break points.

The 22-year-old will next take on Brandon Nakashima in a battle of Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF alumni. The American defeated Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.