Paris Masters: Musetti defeats Ruud and advances to the quarterfinals

Italian Lorenzo Musetti defeated World No. 4 Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters, earning his first Top Five victory.

In the two hours and 19 minutes of their match in the French capital, the 20-year-old played with assurance, hitting 37 winners as he moved the Norwegian from one corner to the next to advance to his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.

“I am really happy. I think we played a great match until the end. A lot of remarkable shots from his side. He was playing really well and I had to play my best tennis to beat him. I am really happy that all the hard work I am doing keeps improving me. I am really proud of this win,” Musetti said.

Musetti, who came into the match with a 0-6 record against the top five competitors, will play either sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic or Karen Khachanov of Serbia in the following round. He returned to the French capital after reaching the second round the previous year.

After winning his second tour-level championship in Naples last month, the Italian is currently ranked No. 23 in the ATP Rankings, a career-high position. At the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, where he will be the top seed for the 21-and-under competition, Musetti will wrap up his season the next week.

Ruud, who has claimed three tour-level victories this year, will concentrate on Turin, where he will compete in the ATP Finals for the second time in a row.

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