Alexander Zverev seeks to avenge his Paris Olympics defeat at the hands of Lorenzo Musetti when the Vienna Open top seed takes to the court in Friday's quarter-final.
The German has served outstandingly in rounds one and two and seeks another top showing on his deliveries to avoid consecutive losses to the sixth seed, aiming for an eighth victory over a top-10 opponent.
Match preview
Zverev put up a clinic on his service games against American Marcos Giron in Wednesday's second-round match, making 82% of his first serves, winning 89% of points on those deliveries and executing to perfection on seconds in his 6-2, 7-5 success.
He was three from three on break points converted against Giron and faced none on his serve throughout proceedings in round two.
Having served admirably in his tournament-opening victory over home player Joel Schwaerzler, the top seed in Vienna raised the bar to advance and continue his bid for a second title in 2024 and 23rd overall.
Up to 61 victories in 2024, the German's personal best in any season, he aims to notch a 62nd at Musetti's expense.
Although it remains to be seen much the outcome of their last match-up plays on the world No. 3's mind, the 27-year-old's performances in the lead-up to Friday's last-eight match have done his prospects no harm.
Musetti is not only the highest-ranked seed that the German has played in Vienna, but he also hopes to have some psychological advantage after stunning the Roland Garros runner-up in August.
That victory was the Italian's seventh in matches against players placed in the top 10 on the ATP Tour, and the Italian aims to make that eight in his career and third in 2024 after beating Alex de Minaur at the Queen's Club tournament preceding Wimbledon and Friday's opponent at this year's Paris Games.
The sixth seed entered the quarter-final in Vienna without stepping on the court against veteran Gael Monfils, who withdrew from the ATP 500 event due to illness on the eve of their last-16 match.
His only appearance was a tournament-opening victory over countryman Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday, when he played top tennis on first and second serves, faced no break points and converted three of nine opportunities on his compatriot's deliveries to record a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Ready to compete, Musetti hopes the extra rest will prove advantageous in his third tour meeting with Zverev in Austria.
Tournament so far
Alexander Zverev:
First round: vs. Joel Schwaerzler 6-2 6-2
Second round: vs. Marcos Giron 6-2 7-5
Lorenzo Musetti:
First round: vs. Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-2
Second round: vs. Gael Monfils walkover
Head To Head
Paris Olympics (2024) - Quarter-final: Musetti 7-5 7-5
Madrid Masters (2022) - Round of 16: Zverev 6-3 1-0 ret
Friday's match-up will be the first outside clay courts, with Zverev and Musetti splitting previous meetings.
While a set and game down in their first encounter, the Italian was forced to retire against the 22-time Tour champion in Madrid two years back but got his revenge in Paris this year en route to winning the bronze medal at the Games.
The victor in Vienna will take a 2-1 lead in the pair's head-to-head.
We say: Zverev to win in three sets
While Zverev is the favourite to advance to the semis in Austria, Musetti has the tools to force a decider if he executes to a decent-to-good level. The German is backed to advance, even if we expect the sixth seed to force a decider.
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