"Alcaraz hasn't played that well so far this week, but he's played well enough. When Fritz put him under pressure, he responded just in time, and whenever he's in trouble, there's the sense he can find a level his opponent cannot. Which is characteristic of the best on any sport: the ability to beat top players having their best day."
"Musetti has managed it once, but that was in 2022; he's lost six on the spin since then, most recently in the semis at Roland Garros, when he won the first set before losing the next two and retiring. I guess he has to go for his shots, looking to target the backhand and second serve, while being alert to drops, and hope Alcaraz isn't at it because he's already through."
Alcaraz leads Musetti 1-0 after a game that included a service winner and a deflected backhand winner by Musetti. Musetti attacked a second serve to produce a down-the-line backhand winner but could not hold the game. Alcaraz appears focused and capable of raising his level under pressure. Musetti enters with crowd support but recent form shows six consecutive losses since his 2022 win, including a retirement at Roland Garros. Tactics for Musetti include targeting Alcaraz's backhand and second serve and staying alert to drop shots. A win for Alcaraz guarantees the year-end world No.1 ranking.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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