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Alcaraz 1-1 Musetti* Shouts from the crowd as Muse\u2019eh, to give him his Mancunian name, prepares to serve, and cheers when Alcaraz overhits. Then, as Berrettini predicted, a battle of drops sent across the face of the net, the Italian\u2019s second effort dropping just wide. No matter, a big serve makes 30-15, a service winner raises game point, and another unreturned delivery levels us up. That\u2019s a good start from the local boy.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Alcaraz 1-0 Musetti (*denotes server) Alcaraz makes 15-0, then Musetti does what we said he needs to, getting after a second serve to deflect a backhand winner down the line; the crowd enjoy it. But a service winner follows and the game is quickly closed out thereafter.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz to serve, ready \u2026 play.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Also going on:<\/p>\n Breaking: Sam Matterface just referred to \u201cEbz Eze\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Of course my wife ordered the shopping to arrive, then went to a work dinner. But it\u2019s in, you\u2019ll be relieved to learn, and they\u2019re still knocking up.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz, meantime, looks focused. He\u2019ll not be taking it easy tonight, I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Out comes Musetti, the crowd giving it loads. How much does he have left in his legs?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players are walking through the tunnel and will soon be with us. There\u2019s bare noise and strobes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mario Berrettini reckons Alcaraz, who loves his drops, might struggle with Musetti\u2019s touch, but he\u2019s reaching. We shall see.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz hasn\u2019t played that well so far this week, but he\u2019s played well enough. When Fritz put him under pressure, he responded just in time, and whenever he\u2019s in trouble, there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Musetti has managed it once, but that was in 2022; he\u2019s 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\u2019t at it because he\u2019s already through. Thing is, if Alcaraz wins tonight, he guarantees that he\u2019ll be the year-end world no 1, so it\u2019s not like he\u2019s no incentive to win.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.21 EST<\/p>\n So how does Musetti beat Alcaraz? Er\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I mean, what a turnaround.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n I feel for Fritz, but it\u2019s still beautiful.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n