'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Lorenzo Musetti vs (Q) Alibek Kachmazov
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
Tournament: Chengdu Open 2024
Round: Semi-final
Venue: Sichuan International Tennis Center in Chengdu, China
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $1,171,655
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - DAZN
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alibek Kachmazov preview
Top seed Lorenzo Musetti will continue his quest for a maiden title this season against Russian qualifier Alibek Kachmazov in the semifinals of the 2024 Chengdu Open on Monday, September 23.
Trending
Musetti entered Chengdu on the back of a 34-22 match record and a bronze medal at the Olympic Games, the latter being the highlight of his year so far. He reached the finals of Queen's Club, where he lost to Tommy Paul, and Umag, where he lost to Francisco Cerundolo. He also achieved his best-ever performance at a Grand Slam by reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon, where he fell to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
The Italian world No. 19 began his Chengdu campaign with a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over Christopher O'Connell in the second round, having received a bye in the first round. In the quarterfinals, he faced another tough test against fifth seed Adrian Mannarino, emerging victorious with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 win.
Kachmazov, meanwhile, opened his Chengdu campaign in the qualifiers. He defeated top seed Hong Seong-chan in the first round and then followed it up with another straight-sets win over Cui Jie to secure a spot in his first ATP main draw match of the season.
In the first round, Kachmazov beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 7-6 (0). He then beat Taro Daniel by a 7-6 (1), 6-1 scoreline. He continued his dominance in the quarterfinals, causing a major upset by defeating third seed Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-4.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alibek Kachmazov head-to-head
Lorenzo Musetti and Alibek Kachmazov have yet to face off on the ATP tour. Thus, their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alibek Kachmazov odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alibek Kachmazov prediction
Lorenzo Musetti may appear stronger on paper heading into the encounter, but Alibek Kachmazov cannot be discounted given his red hot form in recent times.
Musetti has struggled on hard courts this year, with most of his success coming on clay and grass. He holds a 12-11 record on the surface this season, with his semifinal run this week his best performance so far. His previous best was reaching the fourth round in Miami.
Kachmazov, on the other hand, has played nearly all his tennis this year on the Challenger and ITF circuits, making his main draw debut only this week. He has yet to drop a set this week and has lost serve just twice in the main draw, facing zero break points in his previous match. Additionally, he has excelled in his winners-to-unforced-errors ratio and hasn’t hesitated to go for his shots.
Musetti's experience should see him advance in this contest. The Russian, however, is expected to give him a tough challenge, as he has done all week. Facing the top seed after playing five matches in less than a week might be a stretch too far.
Pick: Musetti in three sets.
