Athens
Two points from defeat, Musetti survives Wawrinka to keep Turin hopes alive
Italian reaches Athens QFs, Kecmanovic also prevails in three sets
November 05, 2025
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Lorenzo Musetti is aiming to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.
By ATP Staff
Lorenzo Musetti’s hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals hung by a thread on Wednesday, but the Italian rose to the occasion to continue his quest for a Turin debut.
The 23-year-old overcame former No. 3 Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship. The second seed must win the ATP 250 title to qualify for the season finale.
“I think everybody knows what’s next in my mind, it’s not easy to play with that in my mind,” said a relieved Musetti in his on-court interview. “But of course, if I want to qualify for [Turin], I have to lift the trophy here.”
In a clash between two of the most picturesque one-handed backhands, Musetti was two points from defeat at 4/5 in the second-set tie-break. However, the Swiss then committed two unforced errors, giving Musetti a set point, which he clinched with a booming forehand winner. Musetti played with newfound ease in the decider, swinging freely and moving forward while testing the 40-year-old’s physical limits throughout the two-hour, 25-minute battle.
“He was not struggling physically at his age, so hopefully when I’m 40, I will do the same,” Musetti said with a laugh. “A really, really big effort from Stan, but of course I’m really happy with the win.
“I want to say thanks for sharing a court with a legend, an inspiration since I was a kid, so a big applause to Stan who showed some impressive tennis today. I had to raise the level to win this match, especially in the third set. “
Up next for Musetti is fifth-seeded Frenchman Alexandre Muller. Musetti will seek revenge on Muller, who beat the Italian in 2023 in Marrakech. Muller has saved a match point in his first two matches, with his latest win being a 6-7(2), 7-6(4), 7-6(3) victory against Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Argentine held a match point on return at 6-5 in the second set.
Earlier, Miomir Kecmanovic downed third seed Luciano Darderi 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Into his fourth quarter-final of the year, Kecmanovic leads the Italian 3-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with all four meetings coming in 2025. Kecmanovic is seeking his second title of the season after winning in Delray Beach. He will next meet American Sebastian Korda.
