Sinner wins all-Italian Next Gen clash with Musetti in Antwerp

Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti faced off in an all-Italian clash at the Antwerp European Open and it was the more accomplished Sinner who proved better. The duo never faced each other at the Tour level with this being their first match. And it started off well with both playing some solid tennis early. Sinner was the one having issues with his baseline shots a bit shaky from both sides.

After he saved an early break point he settled in nicely and played much better. Musetti had no issues winning his game for the majority of the first set with the first issues coming fairly late in the set. He did not wiggle his way out of those and Sinner was able to take a 6-5 lead before closing out the set with 6-1.

In the 2nd set Sinner was able to finally found his rhytm and unleash his baseline play. Musetti, while taleneted, still lacks the power and defensive capabilities to match against a heavy hitter like Sinner, especially on hard courts. Sinner dominated taking an early break after which he added another break to make it 5-1.

He dominated on Musetti's 2nd serve winning all of the points which was enough to wreck havoc. He could have closed it out with 6-1 but Musetti held on to make it 5-2 before Sinner closed it out with 6-2. A strong start for Sinner who is fighting for a place in Turin.