Musetti vs. Safiullin: Underdog Italian Eyes Upset in Miami
Lorenzo Musetti, the 22-year-old Italian tennis star, is set to face Roman Safiullin of Russia in the second round of the Miami Open on Sunday. While Musetti would have been the clear favorite in previous years, his recent form has raised some doubts.
Musetti has struggled since the start of 2024, winning only five of his 14 matches. However, he has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, including a hard-fought win over Denis Shapovalov in Indian Wells.
Safiullin, on the other hand, has also been in poor form, losing seven of his last nine matches. The Russian is known for his powerful baseline game, but he has been struggling with his consistency lately.
Despite Musetti’s recent struggles, he remains a dangerous opponent. He has the ability to match Safiullin’s power and is a better mover. Additionally, Musetti is due for some positive regression in his return and serve percentages.
The oddsmakers have Musetti as a slight underdog, but the Italian is worth considering at these odds. He is a talented player who is starting to find his form again.