Speed Post News Network
Patna : Qualifiers Lorenzo Musetti, 18, Italy, and Dominik Koepfer, 26, Germany, advanced to Round of 16 of Italian Open 2020 on September 18, 2020, comfortably defeating their highly rated opponents. The two qualifiers will now clash in Round of 16 at 8.30 pmo n September 18.
Lorenzo Musetti, who had upset 10th seed and winner of three Grand Slam singles titles in first round, beat 2014 US Open Finalist Kei Nishikori, 30, Japan, in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in second round to enter Round of 16. Musetti won two break points in the match to none by Nishikori. The Italian also won 3 games in a row in the match. Musetti, in all, won 72 points in the match to 62 by the Japanese. Nishikori committed 4 double faults to 2 by the Italian. Nishikori has reached Wimbledon QFs twice, French Open QFs thrice, and Australian Open QFs four times, and is winner of 12 career titles.
Dominik Koepfer, who had defeated Alex de Minaur, Australia, in first round, stunned 5th seed Goel Monfils, 34, France, 6-2, 6-4 in first round winning 5 games in a row. The German won 4 break points in the match to 1 by Monfils, the winner of 10 career titles. Koepfer won 67 points in the match to 50 by the Frenchman. Monfils fired 4 Aces to just 1 by Koepfer. Monfils, however, also committed 6 double faults to 3 by the German.