Lorenzo Musetti left in tears after losing fifth consecutive final at Chengdu Open as Alejandro Tabilo wins unexpected title

It was an unexpected title on Tuesday for Lorenzo Musetti at the Chengdu Open with the Italian losing to the unseeded Chilean, Alejandro Tabilo with the Italian being top seed when the tournament began.

Musetti finally seemed to be getting back on track after a pretty tough road which saw him defeated at the French Open and then getting injured in the process with the Italian not being the same player afterwards. But he finally managed to gain some traction.

Albeit Musetti v final as opposed to Musetti v Tabilo seemed to be his biggest obstacle. The Italian was in tears after losing his fifth consecutive. He now sits at 2-5. He won his first two and then has lost five since. He had two match points, hit more winners, less unforced errors and won more points but he still lost.

His last title was in October 2022. The Chilean qualifier sealed it 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(5) to capture his third ATP tour title and his first of the season. Tabilo lost his opening six matches of the year and also had personal issues to deal with off court with his family.

He missed two months of the European clay court swing due to a wrist injury and he had to actually qualify to get to Chengdu. Arriving with a 5-13 record this season, he found his best level this week to show that not only can he do it off clay but the form is still there in spurts.

He struck eight fewer winners and committed 21 more unforced errors but he still win though owing to Musetti chucking it away. He recorded victory in just over two and a half hours with his girlfriend and team rushing onto court after he won. Musetti hasn't won since Naples in 2022 and had opportunities he couldn't close in the third set. Tabilo saved match points with a forehand winner and when Musetti himself hit long off a rally ball. He won it on his first match point.

He won in Auckland and Mallorca last year but it has been less than plain sailing since. However he is now up 40 spots to World No.72 and will return to the top 100 later today for the first time since June. Musetti is aiming for Turin in November and this would've helped him out no end but this defeat only sees him go up one spot. Work still to do while celebrations start for Tabilo.

“I just had to stay there mentally and physically,” Tabilo said. “I was so happy to make those first serves on match points. It was an incredible effort from the team also. It has been a long two weeks and I am just so happy.”