TENNIS

Aleksandar Vukic vs. Lorenzo Musetti: Preview, How to Watch, Odds

bet365 News Team Updated: 8 hours ago

After advancing past fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who retired mid-match, Lorenzo Musetti is set to face Australian Aleksandar Vukic in the round of 16 at the Washington Open.

Lorenzo Musetti stands as the sole Italian remaining in the Washington Open draw, a situation guaranteed from the start as he was pitted against compatriot Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round. The match was cut short when Arnaldi withdrew due to injury, allowing Musetti to advance to the next stage.

Now, Musetti prepares for a showdown with Australia's Aleksandar Vukic, who enters the match in excellent form.

Head-to-Head History: Vukic vs. Musetti

Aleksandar Vukic and Lorenzo Musetti have met only once before on the main tour. Their previous encounter was in 2022 at Pune, where Musetti's persistence paid off in a hard-fought second-round victory.

Four years later, the rankings tell a different story, heavily favoring the 24-year-old Italian. Musetti is currently ranked 15th in the world, while the 30-year-old Australian sits at 105th.

Lorezno Musetti's Recent Form

Musetti advanced to the round of 16 after a dominant but incomplete match against Matteo Arnaldi. The contest lasted just 40 minutes, with Musetti securing a decisive 6-0 first set before Arnaldi's retirement. The Italian hopes this strong start is a sign of a deep run in the tournament.

This American swing is crucial for Musetti, who needs court time to regain his rhythm after a long break following the Italian Open. His 2026 season had started promisingly, reaching the final in Hong Kong and breaking into the world's top 5 for the first time.

However, after a strong performance at the Australian Open, where he was forced to retire with an injury while leading Novak Djokovic by two sets in the quarterfinals, Musetti's season took a downturn. Persistent injuries hampered his performance, leading to an extended absence after the Rome tournament and causing him to slip out of the top 10.

Aleksander Vukic's Path to the Main Draw

Aleksandar Vukic had to battle through the qualifying rounds to earn his spot in the main draw, an indication that the 30-year-old is not at the peak of his career. Nevertheless, he has shown encouraging signs recently, arriving in Washington on an eight-match winning streak after capturing the Grimsby Challenger title.

In Washington, he successfully navigated qualifying with wins over Aziz Dougaz and Alex Bolt. He then defeated American Zachary Svajda in straight sets in the first round of the main draw. Now, the world number 105 will look to build on his recent momentum and continue his strong run of form.