Musetti magnificent but Alcaraz only ‘nine out of 10’ as kids take control

Two teenagers lit up the ATP Tour on Tuesday as Lorenzo Musetti raced through at the Sardegna Open and Carlos Alcaraz advanced in Marbella.

Andalucia Open: Draw | Order of Play | News 

Musetti, 19, produced arguably the standout result of the day as he dismantled Dennis Novak, wrapping up a 6-1 6-0 win in just 53 minutes.

“It was an incredible match,” said Musetti, who has been in impressive form of late and moved to 6-2 for the year.

The one-handed backhand is in safe hands…

😍#SardegnaOpen pic.twitter.com/ajUczNaEqO

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 6, 2021

The Italian reached the last four in Acapulco, where ninth-ranked Diego Schwartzmann fell at his racket as he earned his fist career top 10 win.

He added on Tuesday: “From the beginning, I felt so comfortable on the court and hitting the ball. I had really good feelings.”

Musetti will face top seed Dan Evans next in Cagliari, where Jan-Lennard Struff had to save five match points before finally seeing off Joao Sousa.

None of the seeds followed Monday losers Guido Pella and Tommy Paul out of the tournament, as John Millman also triumphed. Gilles Simon shook off Stefano Travaglia.

File under:

Vintage @GillesSimon84 pic.twitter.com/elWOwQIeD4

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 6, 2021

Alcaraz Sets Clash with Lopez in Marbella

At the Andalucia Open, 17-year-old Alcaraz insisted he still saw room for improvement despite setting up an exciting meeting with veteran compatriot Feliciano Lopez.

Sixth seed Lopez, who turns 40 in September and made his professional bow six years before Alcaraz was born, will be wary of the threat of the self-critical prospect, a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 winner against Nikola Milojevic.

Lopez v Alcaraz: 21 year age difference is third largest since 1990

“I have played a great match and above all I have been with a very high intensity from the beginning to the end,” wildcard Alcaraz said, quoted on the ATP website. “If I had to give myself a grade, it would be a nine [out of 10], because you can always play better.”

Lopez defeated Taro Daniel, while number five seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina came from behind to beat Damir Dzumhur 6-7 (1-7) 6-2 6-2.