Italian youngster Lorenzo Musetti said that Dan Evans had ‘disrespected’ him during a thrilling win on Thursday at the Sardegna Open.
Musetti saved four match points in the third set tie-break to eliminate top seed Evans 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (8) in the second round.
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“There are respectful experienced players on the pitch. Others like Evans, they try to use my youth to shoot (win) matches,” said Musetti in his post-match press conference.
“But it’s all experience for me. Evans disrespected me. I don’t want to be treated like a young man.”
Musetti MIRACLES! 😲
Lorenzo Musetti saves FOUR match points to defeat Evans 6-1 1-6 7-6(8) and reach the #SardegnaOpen QFs! pic.twitter.com/S1l61qTNyY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 8, 2021
The Italian was perhaps referring to the times Evand stepped inside the baseline while returning his opponent’s serve in the second set. The 19-year-old is currently the youngest player in the ATP top-100.
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Musetti fought back from 3/6 and 7/8 down in the third set tie-breaker to overcome Evans in two hours and 10 minutes.
“I tried to stay calm and tried to play each point,” Musetti said. That is what I did and it worked, so I am really happy and really proud of myself with this win.”
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The Italian owns 12 tour-level victories, and seven of those wins have come against Top 35 players. He is one win away from reaching his third ATP Tour semi-final, following his runs to the final four at last year’s Forte Village Sardegna Open and the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC in March.
“The secret for me is not to think about [their Top 35 Ranking], to just play them like other opponents,” said Musetti.
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“I try to play my game… and try to play as good as I can. That is what I did. With them, I always play good. I don’t know why. I have no pressure and I feel free. I have no pressure to win and today was the same.”
