Novak Djokovic prevailed over Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo by using his experience. The world’s number one tennis player drew energy from a tense confrontation with the audience during the first set.
Novak Djokovic managed to overcome the challenge posed by Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 round of 16. It was a valuable victory for Nole, who avenged his defeat from the previous season, extricating himself from a very complicated situation, partly through craftiness. Thus, a scene similar to the one in the Finals match against Sinner was repeated.
The match started off very well for Musetti, who was aggressive and focused. Lorenzo broke early and played several highlight-reel points, earning repeated compliments from Nole himself. Then there was a pivotal moment in the 8th game: Musetti was up 40-0 on his serve and then “collapsed.”
In that game, Djokovic experienced a “confrontation” with the audience. The world number one argued with the umpire, complaining about a missed out call: “It’s so obvious! It’s out by this much.”
Boos came from the stands, and the Serbian began to encourage the fans to raise the decibel level. Shortly after, a replay of the scene seen at the ATP Finals ensued, with Djokovic mimicking a conductor with an imaginary baton. It was a way for him to charge himself up, drawing strength from the energy of the opponents.
This was a scene we had already seen. When? During the Finals match in Turin against Jannik Sinner. In that match, Novak had a particular skirmish with the Italian fans, whom he accused of overly cheering for the local player.
However, that challenge did not go well, as the current world number two ended up winning. Against Musetti, however, the tide turned from that point on, with Lorenzo perhaps getting a bit destabilized.
It was a match in which Nole’s performance crescendoed, and he deservedly won. Musetti too can be satisfied, as he joked with the Serbian at the end of the match: “Next time, further ahead.” A reference to the hope of perhaps facing off in a final.
