There is no good news from Sydney (Australia)seat of the 2023 United Cup Final between Italy and the United States. In the mixed team nations competition, the USA lead 2-0 as a result of the victories of Jessica Pegula (#3 WTA) versus Martina Trevisan (n.27 of the ranking) and of Frances Tiafoe (#19 ATP) versus Lorenzo Musetti (n.23 in the ranking).
In the latter case, however, the carrarino’s knockout was caused by a retirement. The Tuscan was unable to finish the match against the American due to a right shoulder problemshortly after starting the second set and losing the first on the score of 6-2. A problem that originated in the middle of the first set during the seventh game, with Musetti serving.
A real shame because the Italian born in 2002 had started the game very well, building up three break points in the second game, but not being concrete enough in particular in the first chance. In the third game, ironically, Tiafoe’s break came, with a few mistakes too many by Lorenzo, in particular a not impossible play on the net.
Lorenzo Musetti injury: what happened and why he retired against Tiafoe in the United Cup
And then, as mentioned, the injury and it is clear that, missing eight days to the Australian Open (January 16-29), it didn’t take. We hope it is nothing particularly serious, but it is clear that the approach will not be ideal. A situation, unfortunately, that recalls what happened with Jannik Sinner in the Adelaide tournament, even if in that case we’re talking about a hip problem, with the South Tyrolean who still finished the match with Sebastian Korda (7-5 6-1 defeat).
In all of this, the challenge between Italy and the States it all hangs on the side of the American battleship which has the opportunity to close the accounts in the next game. They will take the field Taylor Fritz and Matteo Berrettini from 07.30 Italian and the Roman will try to keep the Bel Paese afloat.
Photo: LaPresse
