By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday September 17, 2020

After 18-year-old Italian qualifier Lorenzo Musetti knocked off Stan Wawrinka for his first ATP win on Tuesday in Rome, many quickly began to wonder what he might do for an encore.

We now have our answer.



Musetti, the 2019 Australian Open Boys’ Singles champion, worked his way past Kei Nishikori on Thursday at the Foro Italico to become the youngest player to reach the round of 16 at Rome since Fabrice Santoro in 1991.

It’s been an eye-opening few days for the Italian, who credits his mental strength more than anything for his victories.

“I always used to be a warrior and fighter,” Musetti told reporters in a post-match press conference. “But not with the consistency. I had a lot of ups and downs during my year, my last year. Now this month, I tried to maintain calm and to stay positive on court and I think it’s the best improvement that I had in these few weeks.”




Musetti saved all five break points he faced against Nishikori and took the win in 1:43.

“Here in Rome I am feeling really well, and even today I think I won mentally, because tough points, I always played good," he said. "So I think the key was this, the important points.”

It has been a challenging year for Nishikori. He missed the winter while recovering from an elbow surgery and then contracted Covid-19 just before the season's restart this summer. Back in health now, he's still lacking matches, and dropped to 1-2 on the season.

Musetti, ranked 249 this week, is slated to crack the Top 180 with his result and if he is able to defeat Germany’s Dominik Koepfer tomorrow, he’ll crack the Top 150.

Koepfer is a story unto himself this week in Rome. The German, ranked No. 97, is making his Masters 1000 main draw debut, and he knocked off Gael Monfils 6-2 6-4 on Thursday to reach the round of 16.

Shapovalov Sails through, Rublev Toppled by Hurkacz

Denis Shapovalov booked a round of 16 date with France’s Ugo Humbert, which should be a fantastic battle of southpaws. The Canadian stopped Pedro Martinez, 6-4 6-4 to book his 11th win of the season; Humbert stopped Fabio Fognini 7-5 7-6(4), matching his career-best win by ranking to advance.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz stopped Andrey Rublev 7-6(6) 3-6 6-2 to set up a round of 16 test with Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.

Other Results

Casper Ruud d. Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-4
[8] Diego Schwartzman d. John Millman 6-4 7-6(1)
Dusan Lajovic d. [13] Milos Raonic 7-6(3) 4-6 6-2