In a rematch from their bronze medal contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Felix Auger-Aliassime will seek revenge on Lorenzo Musetti when the two players meet on the ATP tour once again, in the round of 32 at the Miami Open on Sunday.
To reach this stage, Musetti came back after losing the opening set against Quentin Halys, winning that match 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5, while the Canadian ousted Tristan Schoolkate in straight sets 6-4 6-4.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite a less-than-ideal start to the Miami Open this year, the Olympic bronze medallist from last summer managed to narrowly win the final two sets of that contest.
Musetti survived his opener despite his competitor hitting 17 aces against him, as the Frenchman was his own worst enemy, registering seven double faults.
In the end, the 2024 Wimbledon semi-finalist out-duelled Halys in second serves, winning 68% of his, while his opponent only won 56% of his in that category.
Musetti has lost his last two singles matches played in the round of 32, including a three-set defeat versus Arthur Fils at that stage of the Indian Wells Open earlier this month.
On hard court surfaces, the 23-year-old Italian has managed to win 72% of his first serves and 80% of his service games in 2025.
His second serves have often let him down though, as he has won just 50% of those on the hard court this year, while he has saved 56% of his break points.
© Imago
A strong overall service game on Friday propelled Felix Auger-Aliassime to a comfortable straight sets victory in his opening match.
The Canadian's first-serve percentage came in at 74, and he won 86% of his first serves, along with 82% of his second serves throughout the encounter.
Auger-Aliassime has reached the semi-finals or further in two of his last three singles events, though he suffered a surprise opening-round loss to Jenson Brooksby at the Indian Wells Open earlier this month.
The last time he faced an Italian at this stage of an ATP singles tournament, Auger-Aliassime was forced to retire against Andrea Vavassori at the Rotterdam Open in February.
This year, he has hit 245 aces on the hard court while winning 75% of his first serves, and he has managed to rescue 68% of his break points.
While his serve has been strong all year, that has not been the case for his return game, with the 24-year-old only winning 19% of his return games so far this year.
Tournament so far
Lorenzo Musetti:
First round: Bye
Second round: vs. Quentin Halys 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5
Felix Auger-Aliassime:
First round: Bye
Second round: vs. Tristan Schoolkate 6-4 6-4
Head To Head
Barcelona Open (2021) - Round of 32: Auger-Aliassime wins 4-6 6-3 6-0
Lyon Open (2021) - Round of 32: Musetti wins 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 7-5
ATP Masters Monte Carlo (2022) - Round of 32: Musetti wins 6-2 7-6 (7-2)
Florence Open (2022) - Semi-finals: Auger-Aliassime wins 6-2 6-3
Davis Cup (2022) - Semi-finals: Auger-Aliassime wins 6-3 6-3
Olympics (2024) - Bronze medal: Musetti wins 6-4 1-6 6-3
When these two first met in Barcelona in April 2021, Auger-Aliassime won 75% of his first serve points and five break points to claim victory.
In the rematch the following month, the Italian got some retribution, thanks to a first-serve percentage of 74%, while he converted four of his seven break-point chances.
A year later in Monaco, Musetti had a first-serve percentage of 67% and went three for three on his break point opportunities to claim a narrow triumph.
In the latter part of that year, they met in Musetti's home country, and the Canadian was the superior player, winning 81% of his first-serve points.
Auger-Aliassime claimed a comfortable triumph in two sets when both players were representing their nations at the Davis Cup in 2022, as Canada went on to win that tournament.
Musetti overcame a lopsided second-set loss in their previous meeting to win that match and become the first Italian tennis player to collect an Olympic medal in a century.
We say: Auger-Aliassime to win in three sets
Even with his opening-round exit at the Wells Indian Open, we like Auger-Aliassime's form in recent tournaments, and we believe his serve will give him an edge over Musetti in this encounter.
Joel Lefevre
