ATHENS/STARNBERG, November 6, 2025
Lorenzo Musetti kept his Nitto ATP Finals dreams alive on Wednesday, producing a spirited comeback to extend his bid for a debut appearance in Turin.
The 23-year-old Italian battled past Swiss wild card entry Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship in Athens. Musetti must capture the ATP 250 title this week to secure his spot at the season-ending event.
“I think everybody knows what’s next in my mind, it’s not easy to play with that in my mind,” Musetti said during his on-court interview. “But of course, if I want to qualify for the Finals, I have to lift the trophy here.”
In an encounter between two of the most elegant and visually striking one-handed backhands, the No. 2 seed withstood 22 aces and broke Wawrinka’s serve one time. In the end, Musetti won two points more than his opponent to secure victory in two hours and 25 minutes.
What a way to seal it! #HellenicChampionship pic.twitter.com/uQ7uRf7bBG
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 5, 2025
“He was not struggling physically at his age, so hopefully when I’m 40, I will do the same,” Musetti said with a smile. “A really, really big effort from Stan, but of course I’m really happy with the win.
“I want to say thanks for sharing a court with a legend, an inspiration since I was a kid, so a big applause to Stan who showed some impressive tennis today. I had to raise the level to win this match, especially in the third set.”
Up next for Musetti will be fifth-seeded Frenchman Alexandre Muller, who edged past Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 6-7(2), 7-6(4), 7-6(3) in three hours and four minutes.
In the remaining quarterfinals on Thursday, top seed and new Athens resident Novak Djokovic will take on No. 6 seed Nuno Borges of Portugal, US-American Marco Giron faces German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann and Sebastian Korda of the United States opposes Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
