ATP
Musetti holds off ace attack in Stuttgart
Lorenzo Musetti survived a serving onslaught of 21 aces as the Italian blunted the attack of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (9), 7-6 (9) on Tuesday to begin with a win at the Stuttgart Open.
The pre-Wimbledon grasscourt tuneup match took an hour per set, with fifth seed Musetti coming good on his eighth match point against the huge serve of his French opponent.
Musetti was unable to convert on eight break point chances, with Mpetshi Perricard saving three consecutive match points with aces in the 10th game of the second set.
“it was a really, really tough match – really tight,” the winner said. “I was focused on trying to return his incredible serve.
“I’ve never faced anyone who hits around 230 (kph) average. It was a mental game and I’m proud of myself.”
Musetti, who lost a quarter-final here a year ago to eventual champion Frances Tiafoe, earned a second-round match on the grass of the Weissenhof Club against German Dominik Kopfer.