Italian world No. 27 Lorenzo Musetti showed grit and growing maturity to overcome Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round of the Hong Kong Tennis Open, sealing a hard-fought 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4 win on Wednesday.
After surrendering a tight opening set in a tie-break, Musetti raised his level noticeably, controlling the tempo and wearing down his opponent to book his place in the next round.
How did Lorenzo Musetti win the match?
The turning point came immediately after the first set. Musetti began striking the ball with more depth and accuracy, particularly off the backhand wing, while Etcheverry struggled to maintain the same intensity.
The Italian broke serve early in the second set and never looked back, levelling the contest with authority.
In the deciding set, Musetti remained calm during the key moments, converting crucial break points and closing out the match without hesitation.
This victory extends Musetti’s head-to-head lead to 3–0 against Etcheverry, underlining his tactical edge in this matchup.
Why is this win important for Musetti in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong Tennis Open has quietly become one of Musetti’s more productive stops on the ATP calendar.
His best previous result at the tournament was a quarter-final appearance in 2025, and this latest win keeps him firmly on track to match or improve on that run.
Comeback complete
Lorenzo Musetti rallies from a set down to defeat Etcheverry 6-7 6-2 6-4!#BOCHKTO2026 pic.twitter.com/DaM1E7kktd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 7, 2026
Hard courts in Asia can often expose weaknesses in players who rely heavily on clay-court instincts, but Musetti’s performance suggested growing comfort on faster surfaces, an encouraging sign as the season progresses.
How much prize money has Musetti earned so far?
Progress on the court has also translated into financial rewards. By reaching the next round, Musetti has added $8,870 to his earnings in Hong Kong, taking his total prize money from the tournament to $21,155 so far.
Should he advance again, a further $15,365 would be added to his total, pushing his overall earnings in Hong Kong beyond $36,000, according to ATP Tour prize money structures for the event.
What stood out in Musetti’s performance?
More than the scoreline, it was Musetti’s composure that caught the eye. Losing a first-set tie-break can often derail momentum, but the Italian responded with patience rather than frustration.
His improved return games and willingness to extend rallies paid dividends, forcing Etcheverry into errors at key moments.
This level-headed approach is increasingly being seen as Musetti transitions from promising talent to consistent tour contender.
What matches are still to come in Hong Kong?
The tournament continues to deliver strong match-ups, with several seeded players yet to take the court in the later rounds.
Fans can expect high-profile appearances from established names and dangerous floaters as the draw narrows towards the quarter-finals.
Musetti’s next opponent will be confirmed once the remaining second-round fixtures are completed.
