Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti faced a nerve-wracking start at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters when China's World No. 67 Buyunchaokete stunned him early on. In a match that kept fans riveted, Buyunchaokete opened the scoring with a striking tweener to take the first set 6-4—recalling their previous clash at last year's China Open, where the Chinese athlete had upset the 13th seed.
Musetti, however, demonstrated resilience. After easily retrieving a drop shot from Buyunchaokete in the second set, the Italian clawed his way back to level the contest, winning 7-5. With confidence restored, he wrapped up the final set 6-3 on match point with a well-worked rally, securing his place in the next round against Czech World No. 28 Jiri Lehecka—a matchup that promises to be a tough test given their past encounters.
Elsewhere at Monte Carlo, ninth seed Daniil Medvedev edged out fellow Russian Karen Khachanov in a rollercoaster encounter. Medvedev captured the first set 7-5, conceded a tight second set 6-4, and ultimately clinched the final set 6-4 as Khachanov's wide shots proved costly. The win marks a return to form on clay for the former World No. 1 as he chases his first title since the Rome Masters two years ago.
In another highlight of the tournament, Chilean Alejandro Tabilo surged back from a slow start to overcome three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka with a scoreline of 1-6, 7-5, 7-5. Tabilo’s determined comeback sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Serbia's Novak Djokovic, as both players vie for momentum in this prestigious event.
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Musetti survives scare from Buyunchaokete at Monte Carlo Masters
cgtn.com
