Wimbledon 2024 Men’s Day 10

Lorenzo Musetti continued his hot streak on grass, with the Italian dumping out Taylor Fritz in a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 comeback on Wednesday to book into his first Wimbledon semi-final.

The Italian came to the major riding a wave of momentum after finishing runner-up at Queen’s Club a week after playing a Stuttgart semi-final on grass.

Musetti will play for a finals spot against Novak Djokovic, whose path was eased considerably when quarter-final opponent Alex de Minaur was forced to withdraw with a hip muscle tear.

The injury occurred in the closing moment’s of ninth seed de Minaur’s fourth-round Monday win over Arthur Fils, when he felt a loud crack as he slid for a forehand.

Scans on Tuesday were not encouraging, with doctors predicting a three to six-week recovery.

“I’ve been struggling to sleep the last couple of days, I feel it (pain) walking,” de MInaur said.

“I was just hoping that I would wake up and feel it a little bit less or feel it to a point where I can at least go on court. 

“But it’s almost disrespectful for me to not go on the court close to 100 per cent against someone like Novak.

“There’s no point in me going out there if I’m not going out there to try and win.”

He added: “It’s quite a unique injury. I’m hoping the pain goes down with a bit of rest, and then ultimately it’s kind of working against the clock to get back as soon as possible.”

Against Fritz, Musetti profitted from more than 50 unforced errors off the racquet of the American who had lifted a third career title at Eastbourne, and came to the quarter-final after winning his previous eight matches.

Musetti fought back after dropping the opening set and swept the next two as he put himself into winning position.

The Italian missed a break point chance at 2-all in the fourth set and paid the price as Fritz squared the match at two sets each after three hours on court.

Musetti, fourth Italian to reach the semis here, ran away with the fifth to set up his date against Djokovi, pounding over a service winner on his first match point after three and a half hours.

“I don’t realise yet what I’ve done,” the 22-year-old winner said. “I had never played on the big stage (courts) at Wimbledon; I played a fantastic match.

“I’m really, really happy to be in my first semi-final here. I probably did not have the best start but I kept the best for the end.

“My attitude changed at the start of the second set, I hope I’m gonna have that attitude on Friday when I play Djokovic.

“I expect a big fight with him, I’m an ambitious guy and I like a challenge.

“I’ll give my 100 per cent and let’s see what happens.”

Main photo:- Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd