Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
Two talented youngsters will have a go at their first Monte Carlo SF!
Monte-Carlo Masters 2023 QF: Lorenzo Musetti vs Jannik Sinner
- Thread starter Rovesciarete
- Start date
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
I like Musetti but think he'll have a letdown after today's win and his serve has been awful, he was broken about 8 times.
Sinner in two.
Sinner in two.
Baseline_Bungle
Legend
The official H2H says Jannik won their only previous encounter, a 5&2 straight-setter in Rotterdam 2021. There was, however, another meeting that won't show up on ATP records. And it was on clay.
Almost exactly 4 years ago, 17-year-old Sinner and 17-year-old Musetti met on the hallowed Pietrangeli Court in the semifinals of the Rome pre-qualification tournament, with the red-headed "benzinaio" prevailing after a 3-hour thriller, that even saw him save a match point. The match was broadcast live by Supertennis, Italy's tennis channel, and many of us watched it from start to finish, well aware that we were witnessing (Italian tennis) history.
The next day, Sinner shockingly lost to Andrea Basso in the final, thus missing out on the main draw wild card. But when a couple of last-minute withdrawals gave Andreas Seppi direct entry, another WC was freed up, and Sinner got the nod. He went on to beat Steve Johnson in the first round (roaring back from 0-5 down in the third) before losing to the Great Thinker. Musetti on the other hand got a WC for the qualies and threw a scare into the up-and-coming Casper Ruud. Interesting to look back now and see how far they've come, and how they have changed, both tennis-wise and physically...
Almost exactly 4 years ago, 17-year-old Sinner and 17-year-old Musetti met on the hallowed Pietrangeli Court in the semifinals of the Rome pre-qualification tournament, with the red-headed "benzinaio" prevailing after a 3-hour thriller, that even saw him save a match point. The match was broadcast live by Supertennis, Italy's tennis channel, and many of us watched it from start to finish, well aware that we were witnessing (Italian tennis) history.
The next day, Sinner shockingly lost to Andrea Basso in the final, thus missing out on the main draw wild card. But when a couple of last-minute withdrawals gave Andreas Seppi direct entry, another WC was freed up, and Sinner got the nod. He went on to beat Steve Johnson in the first round (roaring back from 0-5 down in the third) before losing to the Great Thinker. Musetti on the other hand got a WC for the qualies and threw a scare into the up-and-coming Casper Ruud. Interesting to look back now and see how far they've come, and how they have changed, both tennis-wise and physically...
dking68
Legend
Yup definitely and he has the crowd behind him
Jack the Hack
Hall of Fame
Back during the US Open last year, I had pointed out in another thread that since 2020 on the ATP tour, Sinner had won 6 matches after being down match point, which was more than any other player in history for his age (although I can't remember the website where I got that stat). Obviously, he saved another match point today against Hurkacz. Pointing out how he saved a match point against Musetti and came back from 0-5 down against Johnson back when he was 17 shows that this is a pattern.
What's my point?
Well, it's that Sinner's ability to come back from the brink repeatedly shows how much fight and mental toughness he has. That's why I take strong exception to posters on here characterizing him as a choker. Mental midgets and chokers don't make comebacks like that.
As for the upcoming Musetti versus Sinner match, my bet is on Jannik in two. The fact that it's on clay is the only reason I would give Musetti a shot. Sinner is better in every category, except "looking more like a classic Italian."
dking68
Legend
Don’t worry my friend. Sinner will shut the doubters and the haters up at WB or USO this year. It’s coming and I feel it comingBack during the US Open last year, I had pointed out in another thread that since 2020 on the ATP tour, Sinner had won 6 matches after being down match point, which was more than any other player in history for his age (although I can't remember the website where I got that stat). Obviously, he saved another match point today against Hurkacz. Pointing out how he saved a match point against Musetti and came back from 0-5 down against Johnson back when he was 17 shows that this is a pattern.
What's my point?
Well, it's that Sinner's ability to come back from the brink repeatedly shows how much fight and mental toughness he has. That's why I take strong exception to posters on here characterizing him as a choker. Mental midgets and chokers don't make comebacks like that.
As for the upcoming Musetti versus Sinner match, my bet is on Jannik in two. The fact that it's on clay is the only reason I would give Musetti a shot. Sinner is better in every category, except "looking more like a classic Italian."
Tennfan123
Legend
What a fresh and exciting QF! Can’t wait!
Baseline_Bungle
Legend
I have made that same point repeatedly, including today in the main thread...
ATP M1000 Monte Carlo 2023
Thank God Ruud is out. He needs to get the hell out of the top five
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Yeah he blows the occasional lead - but not nearly as often as his opponents do against him.
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
Crystal balls, is it?
Baseline_Bungle
Legend
Another fun fact some may not be aware of: Musetti and Sinner live in the same building.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
O dio, another Italian derby. Normally I would put Sinner down as a heavy favorite, but I always think it's unpredictable when two compatriots of a similar age play one another, especially if they have played against each other before in juniors.
Like we saw with Milan v Napoli, sometimes the favorite struggles against a familiar adversary that knows them well. That said, I still think/hope that Sinner will pull it out.
And I love the "benzinaio" nickname! Do you know where it comes from? Did you come up with it? It just seems so perfect for him. Too bad it makes me think of a certain team that wears the colors of benzinai (and plays at the same venue in Rome).
Any relation between Andrea Basso and Ivan Basso? Or maybe Alcide Basso (the bike builder)?
Like we saw with Milan v Napoli, sometimes the favorite struggles against a familiar adversary that knows them well. That said, I still think/hope that Sinner will pull it out.
Great post. I was wondering what the head 2 head was between them. Did they play a lot of previous matches against one another in juniors? They both look so young in that video, especially Sinner.
And I love the "benzinaio" nickname! Do you know where it comes from? Did you come up with it? It just seems so perfect for him. Too bad it makes me think of a certain team that wears the colors of benzinai (and plays at the same venue in Rome).
Any relation between Andrea Basso and Ivan Basso? Or maybe Alcide Basso (the bike builder)?
I agree for the most part, but I think there is a difference between the mental toughness it takes to fight (or throw caution to the wind), and staying calm under pressure. It seems easier for a player to fall behind and say, 'wtf, I'm just gonna go for it, since I'm already gonna lose.' Look at Zverev today. 5-2 down in the tiebreak he suddenly starts blasting away and comes back to 5-6, only to tighten right back up once the pressure returned.
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
Good post, will just add. It's also about being a great returner. More often than not a match is won by serving it out. Harder to do vs Sinner (and Djokovic)Back during the US Open last year, I had pointed out in another thread that since 2020 on the ATP tour, Sinner had won 6 matches after being down match point, which was more than any other player in history for his age (although I can't remember the website where I got that stat). Obviously, he saved another match point today against Hurkacz. Pointing out how he saved a match point against Musetti and came back from 0-5 down against Johnson back when he was 17 shows that this is a pattern.
What's my point?
Well, it's that Sinner's ability to come back from the brink repeatedly shows how much fight and mental toughness he has. That's why I take strong exception to posters on here characterizing him as a choker. Mental midgets and chokers don't make comebacks like that.
As for the upcoming Musetti versus Sinner match, my bet is on Jannik in two. The fact that it's on clay is the only reason I would give Musetti a shot. Sinner is better in every category, except "looking more like a classic Italian."
Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
Seppi making way for Sinner fits very well, both coming from the same regional background. Benzinaio fitted well at that stage. Now he looks almost like a young man grown.
The biggest difference should be arguably the return, but Jannik had yesterday a lot of trouble with Hubis serve...
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
Hubis serve >>>>> better than Musetti's yesterday
dking68
Legend
No doubt about that. And also Musetti gonna have trouble with canons being fired at him if you give Sinner enough time
Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
However Lolo will be more familiar with the late starting conditions.
Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
Early break by Sinner. But he has no first serve..
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
I don't expect 15 breaks today, but I expect many, especially from Sinner
Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
against the bigger arms..
chuckersthenut
Hall of Fame
Mugsetti getting mugged
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
Sinner's come out on fire. I doubt Djokovic would've beaten him even if he'd got past the other Italian yesterday.
I doubt Djokovic would've beaten him even if he'd got past the other Italian yesterday.
Dominic & Andrey
Legend
Musetti completely overpowered.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
This should be Sinner's tournament to lose in all honesty. How many better chances is he going to get?
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
You'd figure he'd have a big letdown after beating Novak, but Sinner is playing well so far.
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
Right now, he's playing the best tennis of the tournament. Easily
Dominic & Andrey
Legend
Not sure if Musetti is playing worse tbh, I think if you put any big hitter in front of him and he will get blown off the court.
Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
It can still change but Sinner can be a bad matchup against the creative and versatile chaps which have lots of plans before getting hit by heavy shot after heavy shot...
Still love those hands from Lolo.
Still love those hands from Lolo.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Musetti finally waking up a bit, maybe he can make a better showing in the second. Sinner's FH the dominant shot out there, wow.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
And no Med, no Zverev, no Tsitsipas, no Djokovic, no Alcaraz.
Crazy how many players he will dodge.
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
I don't think he would mind playing any of them, but safe of Alcaraz they were not good enough to meet him (assuming he wins today)
Dominic & Andrey
Legend
For the moment, Musetti is a talented player with great hands and a great BH, but his ball doesn't really consistently trouble in the rallies guys who can hit big like Sinner. Offensive baseliners are a problem for him.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
MC trophy will have no meaning this year since Felix and Shapo both skipped it. All the guys you mentioned showed up and lost, fair and square.
Rattie
Legend
I doubt Djokovic would have beaten any of the top 20 playing like he was.Sinner's come out on fire.
InsuranceMan
Hall of Fame
Crafty drops from Musetti, really didn’t think he had that level of feel those were incredible difficulty wise.
Side note MC in good weather is just gorgeous. Emphasis on the in good weather part
Side note MC in good weather is just gorgeous. Emphasis on the in good weather part
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
I would say yes, but Sinner is on fire. Mus could have gotten a break back though
Terenigma
G.O.A.T.
Sinner's come out on fire.
Probably helps the confidence knowing Medvedev, Zverev, Djokovic and Tsitsipas are all out.
Similar threads
- Poll
- Poll
