At the Chengdu Open, Lorenzo Musetti set out with a clear objective: to surpass his performance from the previous year, where he finished as the runner-up to Shang Juncheng. On Monday, Musetti achieved this goal by defeating Alexander Shevchenko in the semi-finals, marking another impressive run for the Italian player.
Musetti showcased his strength on the court, not facing a single break point against Shevchenko and concluding the match with a decisive score of 6-3, 6-1. His opponent in the final will be Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo, who advanced after a hard-fought victory against fourth seed Brandon Nakashima, winning 6-4, 7-6(0) in a match that lasted nearly an hour and a half.
As the top seed, Musetti is undoubtedly the favorite to claim the title and succeed Shang as the champion of the tournament. The 22-year-old has made history by becoming the first player to reach multiple finals at the Chengdu Open since its inception nine years ago. This final represents Musetti’s chance to capture his third title at the tour level, his first since 2022.
Tabilo, who is 28 years old, expressed satisfaction with his performance throughout the tournament, emphasizing his focus and adaptability in challenging matches. “I think it was very solid throughout the whole match,” Tabilo shared. “He served well, so I had to stay patient. It’s been up and down for me, especially dealing with injuries, so I’m really glad to be in another final.”
In another significant event, the Hangzhou Open saw Chinese local star Wu Yibing impressing the crowd with a remarkable victory over the second seed, Daniil Medvedev. Wu staged a comeback in a three-hour, eleven-minute match, pulling off a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-4 win to secure his place in the semi-finals. However, his journey ended when he faced Alexander Bublik, the fourth seed, who advanced to the final with a quick 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Wu expressed his gratitude for the home support and reflected on his journey back from injuries. “I got a little bit lucky in the second set, but I was trying my best. The crowd was amazing,” he noted. “Daniil is one of the toughest players to face, and I had to bring my best to stay competitive. Winning three matches here means a lot, especially after the challenges I’ve faced.”
Despite Wu’s notable run, Bublik exploited his fatigue in the semi-finals and sealed the match efficiently, firing 19 aces in the process. The Kazakh player is pursuing his third title of the season and will face off against French qualifier Valentin Royer in the final.
Royer’s journey has been remarkable, highlighted by his upset of top seed Andrey Rublev in the second round. He continued his impressive form with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over fellow Frenchman Corentin Moutet, marking a significant moment in his burgeoning career.
Both finals at Chengdu and Hangzhou promise exciting matchups, as Musetti, Tabilo, Bublik, and Royer aim to etch their names into the history of their respective tournaments.
