The Italian is having a decent season so far, with 31 wins in 53 matches and semi-finals at the United Cup, Barcelona Open and Swedish Open. He also reached the fourth round of the 2023 French Open.
The 21-year-old landed in China after a first-round exit at the US Open and a group stage loss in the Davis Cup final to Canada. He started the tournament with a hard-fought victory against Filip Sekulic, then defeated Artur Rinderknech in the quarterfinals in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
For his part, Roman Safiullin won 33 victories in 53 matches and won the Challenger in Koblenz. He also reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.
The 26-year-old entered the Chengdu Open after exiting the second round of the US Open. He started the tournament with a solid win over Brandon Nakashima, then defeated Daniel Evans and Jordan Thompson en route to the semifinals.
The meeting between Musetti and Safiullin will be the first in the history of the confrontation. They never met on the ATP circuit.
Musetti has had a decent season and is working to reach his maximum potential. Known for his flamboyant one-handed backhand and versatile playing style, the Italian seems determined to make a good impression at the Chengdu Open. His on-field movement and precise decision-making complement his decent skills.
Safiullin also had a hugely successful season, scoring 33 wins in 53 matches. His game is characterized by a powerful serve and confident play on the back line. Reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon highlights her ability to compete successfully at a high level.
Considering they are 0-0 head to head, this match is uncharted territory for both players. Musetti will look to use his speed and shot variety to keep Safiullin off balance, while the Russian will rely on his serve and hitting power to dictate the pace.
In this tense match, the outcome is difficult to predict. However, given Musetti’s recent form, high ranking and ability to adapt to different styles of play, the Italian is the favorite. But the match promises to be decidedly difficult.
Forecast: Musetti will win in three sets.
Source: Sport
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
