Lorenzo Musetti survived a three-set drama but reached the Final eight of Sofia Open 2022.
#NextGenATP Italian star struggled for two sets against the local Wild Card Alexandar Lazarov but survived after winning 6:7 (5), 7:6 (8), and 6:2 in the last match on Wednesday.
The fourth seed needed 2 hours and 42 minutes to down the world 334 in front exalted Bulgarian crowd.
Tomorrow Lazarov will have another Italian test – in the doubles tournament along with Alexander Donski against top-seeded Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini.
Just two days ago, Lazarov downed Czech #NextGenATP star Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-3 for his first win at an ATP Tour tournament and his first Top 100 triumph.
With this win, Musetti, who recorded his first win in Sofia, saved his chances for the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan. The Italian managed to clear bad memories from 2021 when he fell in the first round to another Bulgarian – Dimitar Kuzmanov.
“It was a tough match. I think he (Lazarov) played great. In the third set, I noticed that he struggles physically. Sometimes you just need to think positively and hope to win. I am really happy with that win. The second set tie-break was tough, but I was lucky and played more aggressively”, Musetti said after the match.
In the quarterfinals, 20-years-old will face a player from the qualifiers. He will play the winner between Jan-Lennard Struff and Ugo Humbert.
