Musetti Hands Alcaraz First Loss In Final, Wins Hamburg Title

In a battle of NextGen talents, Lorenzo Musetti got the better of the favored Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 to win the Hamburg ATP 500 title.

With a combined age of just 39, Musetti, 20, was appearing in his first ATP final while the teen Alcaraz was a perfect 5-0 (10-0 in sets) in title matches.

Alcaraz has been a master at comebacks, and today saved match points in the second to extend it to three. The Italian wouldn’t be denied getting his biggest career title on his sixth match point.

“I have no words because it was a roller-coaster until the end. I had so many match points. Carlos was so good on the match points, so many chances,” Musetti said on court. “But I think the key of the match was to keep calm and all the patience myself because it was really not easy. Carlos was putting so much effort in the match points when he was down, so it was not easy to find the energy to come back.

“But I cannot describe what I am feeling right now. I think I am still dreaming.”

Alcaraz once again fought hard and this season has still won a set in every match he’s played.

“I think he deserved the win today. He played better than me, of course,” Alcaraz said. “He was more aggressive all the time. I didn’t play my best, but I fought until the last ball and I’m really happy with that.”