By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, October 6, 2025
Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Lorenzo Musetti came through tight tests in Shanghai.
The pair will face off in the Rolex Shanghai Masters round of 16.
US Open semifinalist Auger-Aliassime won 30 of 39 first-serve points defeating Dutchman Jesper de Jong 6-4, 7-5.
The Canadian cracked seven aces and saved three of four break points in a one hour, 40-minute victory.
Auger-Aliassime has won 10 of his last 12 matches since the start of Cincinnati with his lone losses coming to No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati quarterfinals and US Open semifinals.
Next up for Auger-Aliassime is a showdown with Lorenzo Musetti with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
The eighth-seeded Musetti squeezed out a 7-5, 7-6(1) win over 26th seed Luciano Darderi in an all-Italian clash.
“I think the level was really high, honestly,” said Musetti. “Luciano played really well, especially in the second set. I think we both managed to play really, really intense.
“The conditions were, of course, slow, and the humidity was really high. I think the key of the match was probably the serve.”
Musetti hit 11 aces against two double faults and denied six of eight break points. Musetti has won four of seven meetings vs. Auger-Aliassime, including a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory in Miami last March.
“The main goal is [the ATP Finals in] Turin, and now I have a good chance to try to block the run of Felix in the next round, because he’s the one who is closer to me in the race,” said Musetti. “So that could be a great challenge to make a statement for Turin.
“And of course, trying to get to the quarterfinals, and having another chance to go even farther in this tournament.”
