Taylor Fritz made a commanding start to his ATP Finals 2025 campaign with a straight-sets win over Lorenzo Musetti in Turin. The American world number six defeated the Italian 6-3, 6-4, earning his first victory against Musetti in three years. Despite the lively home crowd, Fritz stayed composed and dominated with a powerful serve and precise baseline control. He dropped just three points on serve in the second set—two of them coming in the final game—showing his sharp rhythm on indoor hard courts.
Musetti, the ninth seed, entered the tournament as a late qualifier following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal after winning the Athens Open. Though he started with promise and earned four early break points, the Italian struggled to capitalize. Fatigue became a major factor after his recent run in Athens, as seven of his nine service games went to deuce.
Fritz Finds His Rhythm
Fritz, last year’s runner-up to Jannik Sinner, blended aggression with control to neutralize Musetti’s shot-making. He pushed the Italian deep behind the baseline with flat, penetrating groundstrokes, making it difficult for Musetti to dictate rallies. “I was a little shaky at the start and let him dictate too much,” Fritz told Sky Sports. “But once I loosened up, I started playing a lot better.”
The 28-year-old showcased why he is one of the most consistent performers on the ATP Tour this season. His preparation paid off after arriving in northern Italy a week earlier, allowing him to fully adjust to the conditions. In contrast, Musetti had little rest after his loss to Djokovic on Saturday, which left him physically drained.
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Tactical Brilliance and Precision Serving
Fritz’s strategy was simple yet effective. He took the ball early, redirected pace, and attacked second serves with authority. His serve proved nearly unbreakable, and his calmness under pressure stood out. In the second set, Fritz earned the decisive break when Musetti double-faulted twice from 40/30, then sent a backhand wide on break point. From there, the American held his nerve to serve out the match after one hour and 43 minutes.
“I thought I did a lot of things really well,” Fritz said afterward. “I served my way out of trouble and saved key break points. It’s always great to start the tournament this way.”
According to ATP data, Fritz finished with a performance rating of 9.20—well above his 2025 Tour average of 8.28. His dominance highlighted the gap in preparation and physical freshness between the two players.
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Group Stage Outlook and Rankings Battle
With this win, Fritz moves to 1-0 in the Jimmy Connors group, where he will also face Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur in the round-robin stage. Alcaraz began his own campaign with a win over De Minaur and continues to chase his first ATP Finals title. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner faces Felix Auger-Aliassime later in the day as he tries to retain his world number one ranking.
For Sinner to hold onto the top spot, he must defend his title and hope that Alcaraz fails to reach the final. Both young stars remain in contention for the year-end No. 1, adding extra intrigue to the tournament.
Musetti’s Breakthrough Season
Despite the loss, 23-year-old Lorenzo Musetti can look back on 2025 as a breakthrough season. He reached finals in Monte Carlo, Chengdu, and Athens, showcasing his growing consistency and resilience on tour. His qualification for the ATP Finals marks a career milestone and highlights Italy’s continued rise in men’s tennis, with both Musetti and Sinner representing the host nation in Turin.
However, the scheduling and travel took a toll. Playing the ATP Finals less than 48 hours after an intense final in Athens left Musetti physically spent. Still, the experience of competing at this elite level will benefit him going forward.
British Duo Off to a Winning Start in Doubles
In the doubles draw, British pair Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski made a strong start, defeating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 6-3, 7-5. The win gives the duo early momentum in their campaign to become the first all-British team to win the season-ending championship. Salisbury had previously lifted the title alongside American Rajeev Ram in both 2022 and 2023, but this time he’s aiming to achieve the feat with a compatriot.
Fritz Sends a Clear Message
Taylor Fritz’s victory over Lorenzo Musetti was more than just a group-stage win—it was a statement of intent. Confident, sharp, and tactically sound, the American looks ready to make another deep run in Turin. His performance sets the tone for an exciting ATP Finals, where the world’s best players battle for glory and the prestigious year-end No. 1 ranking.