Lyon Open 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti
Date: 22 May 2021
Tournament: Lyon Open 2021
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Lyon, France
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: €419,470
Match timing: Not before 2 pm local time, 12 pm GMT, 8 am EST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti preview
Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his fine run of form on Friday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Yoshihito Nishioka in the Lyon quarterfinals. He now faces Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals on Saturday.
The Greek has been outstanding this season, and leads the men's tour with 31 match wins. He has been particularly impressive on clay, where he holds a 14-3 win-loss record - including a run to the title in Monte Carlo and a runner-up finish in Barcelona.
Seeded second in Lyon, Tsitsipas is yet to drop a set this week. However, he could face his sternest test yet in the 19-year-old Musetti.
Musetti enters this clash high on confidence. The talented Italian battled past Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda in the first two rounds before defeating Aljaz Bedene in straight sets on Friday to reach his second semifinal of the season.
Musetti's claycourt swing had been rather underwhelming before his arrival in Lyon, but he finally seems to have found his best form.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti head-to-head
Stefanos Tsitsipas leads the head-to-head against Lorenzo Musetti 1-0. The two players met in the semifinals at Acapulco earlier this year, with the Greek winning in straight sets.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti prediction
Stefanos Tsitsipas enters the match as the firm favorite. The 22-year-old has not faced a single break point this week and will look to impose himself on his younger opponent from the get-go with another dominant serving display.
Tsitsipas will attempt to use his versatile game style to attack his opponent from all parts of the court and ensure that he stays in control of the points. While Musetti's exceptional defense on the red dirt should help him stay afloat in the longer rallies, the Greek's potent all-round game should see him through.
Prediction: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in straight sets.