“A solid performance, a bitter end”: Lorenzo Musetti advances after Cobolli retires at US Open

Lorenzo Musetti advanced to the second week of the US Open 2025 after defeating fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli in the third round, a match that ended in unfortunate circumstances. Musetti was leading 6-3, 6-2, 2-0 when Cobolli was forced to retire due to fatigue and physical issues, handing his countryman the victory. The result not only secured Musetti’s place in the last 16 at Flushing Meadows, but also underlined his growing ability to adapt his game to hard courts.

While Musetti expressed satisfaction with his level of play, he was also candid about the bittersweet way the match ended. Cobolli, who had endured a demanding summer with back-to-back five-set battles earlier in the tournament, was visibly struggling before deciding to stop. Musetti admitted he would have preferred to close the match in a more conventional fashion, but he nonetheless praised his opponent’s efforts and wished him a swift recovery.

The 23-year-old Italian has been enjoying a breakthrough season, with semifinal runs at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but this marks the first time he has reached the second week of a Grand Slam on hard courts. That milestone is particularly meaningful for Musetti, who has openly acknowledged that success on faster surfaces has been a challenge throughout his career. His win against Cobolli further cements the progress he has made in expanding his game beyond clay and grass.

Musetti credited the improvement to hours of dedicated work both on and off the court, highlighting the importance of adapting his style to the unique demands of hard courts. From greater aggression on his forehand to refining his serve and return, the Italian has embraced a more proactive brand of tennis. With his newfound confidence, Musetti is no longer approaching hard courts with hesitation, but instead treating them as another stage where his creativity and variety can shine.

Reflecting on the match, Musetti admitted it was not the way he envisioned moving forward in New York after the injury of Cobolli. “I think it was a pretty good match. A solid performance by my side,” he explained. “Of course, you know, a bitter end. I didn’t want to finish like that, but I can imagine that Flavio played a lot this season. For sure those two matches in five sets made him tired. I just wish him to be healthy again soon.”

Despite the abrupt finish, Musetti’s statistics during the two completed sets demonstrated his sharp form. He dominated behind his serve, dictated rallies with his forehand, and showed patience when constructing points. The win also extended his run of efficient victories at the tournament, having dropped minimal time on court compared to many of his peers. For a player still adapting to the physicality of hard courts, such efficient progress bodes well for the later stages.

Musetti has long been regarded as a natural stylist whose flair thrives on slower clay or slick grass, but he is the first to admit that hard courts demanded extra adjustments. “Definitely a lot of work has been done, but there’s still a lot to do. It’s a long journey, a long process to have and to live,” he reflected. “I wasn’t feeling that well on hard courts for a long time, so I really appreciate the way I’m playing those matches out there now.”

This transformation has not been accidental. According to Musetti, the training emphasis has been on sharpening his serve and return while becoming more aggressive with his forehand. He believes those two weapons, in particular, are the keys to thriving on faster courts. “Starting from the serve and the return, which are the key shots probably to play well on this surface, I think I’m using my game really well. It’s a matter of accepting that I can play well here,” he added.

With his spot in the US Open round of 16 secured, Musetti now prepares for a fourth round match against Jaume Munar. The Spaniard defeated Zizou Bergs in three sets and reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.