The second week of Wimbledon could not be going any better for Novak Djokovic.
The 37-year-old made quick 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 work of Holger Rune on Monday night and then got a walkover from Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals. Now on semifinal Friday he will face a huge underdog in the form of Lorenzo Musetti, who had previously never advanced this far at a Grand Slam.
While Musetti may lack experience on this kind of stage, his history with Djokovic is extensive. They have already squared off six times in the somewhat early stages of Musetti’s career, with the 24-time major champion leading the head-to-head series 5-1. Two of their meetings have come at slams (both at Roland Garros) and each time Musetti pushed his heavily favored opponent to five sets before fading late. The Italian’s lone victory has come via a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 decision at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.
Grass figures to be much less favorable for Musetti in this particular matchup. That’s not to say, however, that he incompetent on this surface–far from it. Without a single match win on grass (0-4 record) heading into 2023, from out of nowhere Musetti is 18-5 on the green stuff over the past two seasons. His 12-2 mark on it this summer includes a runner-up performance at Queen’s Club and Wimbledon defeats of Constant Lestienne, Luciano Darderi, Francisco Comesana, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Taylor Fritz. The world No. 25 has not yet won in straight sets and he needed five against both Darderi and Fritz.
Although Djokovic’s path to the semis was more routine, he has not been entirely dominant from start to finish. The world No. 2 dropped sets to Jake Fearnley and Alexei Popyrin before raising his level against Rune. A free past from De Minaur was especially welcomed since it gives Djokovic more time to rest his knee that he injured at the French Open.
Musetti has done extremely well to make it this far, but the odds are stacked against him on Friday. He is 1-5 lifetime against Djokovic (0-2 at majors) even though four of their contests have come on the 22-year-old’s favorite surface. Now they are on Djokovic’s stomping grounds, where the Serb has lifted the trophy seven times to go along with a pair of runner-up performances–including last summer (lost to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets).
Djokovic vs. Musetti matchups are pretty much guaranteed to produce exciting rallies, but it may not be extremely competitive on grass. The serve is the most important shot in tennis–especially on this surface–and Musetti does not wield a particularly big one. If he is struggling to hold serve, he will be hard pressed to stay within striking distance of his heavily favored opponent.
Adding insult to injury, Musetti played five sets on Wednesday while Djokovic played zero. Count on the former world No. 1 advancing to a 10th final at the All-England Club.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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WWW?
Lorenzo in 5. I’ve just got a feeling.
Whatever this guy says. The opposite will happen
That’s not true, he’s a good analyst. Don’t gamble.
It’s the process of analysis that matters, not the result, which can swing on a net cord
I’ve also got a feeling…Musetti in 4.
Djokovic in 4
Djokovic in 4 sets
Djoko in four. and onwards for the title on Sunday.
C’mon Muss. if Jasmine can do it, so can you! Make it an Italian double!
What a fabulous time for Italian tennis, investment in local clubs and challenge tournaments, paying off.
Ive got the perfect song if Jasmine wins. ‘Summer breeze, makes me feel fine…
Can’t see Muss winning the title. Too passive.
Agree. Novak Alcaraz final for me and Alcaraz to win the channel slam a year before Rafa managed it!
Well I’ll be rooting for Meddy.And if Nole made it 25, would be amazing but he just too old now
Far too casual from Carlos at the mo. Meddy takes first set.
Carlos off atm. But he has been many matches and then stepped up.
Henman should propose to Carlos. His infatuation with him is overwhelming.
Carlos wakes up One set all. Armchair critics getting on my nerves, it’s “No slam Tim” and “I’m not a tennis player” Cotton.
Playing better and better, Carlos comes through in 4. Well played! In on court interview he said how nervous he was in the first set and also, how nice it was to play in the open air! Yes, indeed “the weather outside is frightful.”
Just seen footage of Novak getting into it with the crowd and interviewer. Don’t blame him. If the crowd boos him then he has every right to get shirty.
No idea why they booed a 24 major champion.
they were cheering for Rune
Sue Barker was even booed when she appeared for Murrays presentation…
Misetti just saved a virtual match point
not for long
Castle ‘I took Wilander to 5 sets at Wimby’ and Barry Cowan, same thing, but it was Sampras .