Lorenzo Musetti has advanced to the Shanghai Masters round of 16 after a hard-fought victory over compatriot Luciano Darderi.
Musetti had struggled during the North American hard-court swing, but his form picked up amidst a US Open quarter-final appearance and his run to the Chengdu Open final.
The Italian was made to work for his victory on Monday, but eventually emerged victorious, 7-5, 7-6.
Musetti will face Felix Auger-Aliassime next. The Canadian recently made the US Open semi-finals and is considered one of the best talents on the ATP Tour.
Following his victory over Darderi, Musetti reflected on the clash against his ‘friend’ while also analysing the ATP Finals race.
Luciano Darderi’s aggressive play surprised Musetti
Musetti began his post-match interview with an ATP Tour spokesman by reflecting on the contest, noting why Darderi surprised him during the match.
“I knew before stepping on court, playing against a friend, always tough,” Musetti said.
“Luciano today, he surprised me honestly. I played well from the beginning but he started to serve and to be really aggressive, especially with the forehand.
“So especially the conditions at night they are really slow so it’s not easy to hit a winner. And I definitely felt that I had to improve my level, increase my level during the game, and that’s what I’m most proud of tonight.
The interviewer then asked a pertinent question regarding the conditions in Shanghai. There have been concerns vocalised regarding the slower court speed by Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur.
The ATP spokesman said: “There’s been a lot of talk about the conditions in Shanghai this year. Normally, it’s a bit quicker.
“I’m guessing maybe that you’re one of the players that is perhaps liking the slower conditions here. Has it helped you make the last 16 here?”
Musetti responded: “I think I was managing to play better on this surface.
“Of course, this year also never been so humid so even the balls I think they are getting heavier and heavier with this kind of humidity. Never changed so many shirts in my life honestly! [laughing].
“And I feel like when you play for like 40 minutes, it seems like you took a shower and definitely I feel like it’s also for these conditions the balls are getting really heavier and the conditions are slower.
“But of course, I can’t complain about this. I like it, and definitely I think you need to be really a fighter and really physically to win this match.
“So really liking the conditions, and hopefully even in the next round I will be as prepared as today.”
Musetti reflects on his ATP Finals chances ahead of Auger-Aliassime clash
Lorenzo Musetti faces 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Shanghai Masters round of 16.
This contest will be of particular interest, as Musetti and Auger-Aliassime are separated by just two places in the ATP Finals race.
Musetti is currently positioned in eighth place, on 3,435 points. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime sits in 10th place, on 2,805 points.
During the post-match interview after defeating Darderi, Musetti confirmed that qualifying for the Finals in Turin, Italy, is his main goal for the rest of 2025.
He said: “Yeah, especially the next match against Felix.
“He’s one to look behind but at the moment he’s a little bit far from me and Alex [de Minaur], that we are really close from each other.
| Position | Player | ATP Points earned in 2025 |
| 7 | Alex de Minaur | 3,445 |
| 8 | Lorenzo Musetti | 3,435 |
| 9 | Jack Draper | 2,990 |
| 10 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 2,805 |
“But Felix is playing really good. He’s having a tremendous end of the season, so I think the match on Wednesday will be a really, really good chance to make a statement for Turin
“So I don’t want to put pressure on myself, but I feel like that’s really important for me, so every win counts, and really happy about this win.”
