Lorenzo Musetti dumps Cameron Norrie out of French Open

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Tennis365
June 2, 2023

Cameron Norrie’s French Open campaign ended in disappointing fashion with a straight-sets loss to Lorenzo Musetti in the third round.

It is the third year in a row the British number one has fallen in the last 32, and he only managed to mount any real challenge in the third set before going down 6-1 6-2 6-4.

There is certainly no disgrace in losing to 21-year-old Musetti, who is ranked only five places below Norrie and whose best surface is clay, but the 14th seed will be disappointed by the manner of what is one of his worst grand slam losses in terms of scoreline.

Speaking after the match, Musetti said: “For sure now I am into the second week here and I could not be more happy or proud of my team and my family. I am really full of joy. It was a really well played match.”

The result, meanwhile, brings an end to British singles hopes at a tournament where only three players even made the start line.

Norrie lost to Musetti in Barcelona recently but spoke positively after his second-round victory over Lucas Pouille about what he had learned from that clash.

He was immediately on the back foot, though, dropping serve in the opening game against the stylish Italian and swiftly losing the opening set.

The second was no better, with Musetti too often finding an answer to everything Norrie could throw at him, and the 17th seed went a break up early in the third as well.

Norrie was staring at his worst slam loss but he at least made a fist of it, breaking Musetti, who had lost from two sets up on both of his previous appearances at Roland Garros, back and creating three chances to break for 5-3.

The Italian held firm, though, and drilled a forehand past Norrie to break again before serving out the victory.

Musetti hopes making quick work of his first three opponents will leave him fresher later in the tournament.

“Even the last round was not that long. Hopefully I will rest and recover as best as I can and I will be ready for the next match,” he said.

He hoped to be able to take in a few points from the Round of 32 match between Carlos Alcaraz and Denis Shapovalov which will determine who Musetti will face in the last 16.

“I have to see some points, some rallies,” Musetti added.

“They are both really great players. It will be a battle with them for sure but for now I want to enjoy this win.”

Lorenzo Musetti