Musetti swings past Rune into French Open quarter finals

PARIS - Lorenzo Musettis impressive claycourt season rolled on in style on June 1 when the Italian craftsman downed the talented yet erratic Holger Rune 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the first time.

World No. 7 Musetti, who will take on American 15th seed Frances Tiafoe for a place in the last four, adjusted to the Danes shift to a swashbuckling approach to keep his title hopes alive in a year that has seen him steady his game.

For the 10th-seeded Rune, it was yet another failure against a member of the top 10 at a Grand Slam as he was denied a third quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros.

Last night I was dreaming of this match against Holger and I was playing at that level. I need to be very good, and I am really proud of myself tonight, said Musetti.

Musetti, who said he has put some order in his game, arrived in Paris having reached at least the semi-finals in all three Masters events this season on clay. He did not disappoint on the Philippe Chatrier court, delighting the crowd with a handful of exquisite shots, notably from his impressive single-handed backhand.

I complain less now, Im more steady, he said.

The 23-year-old made a fast start, breaking in the opening game with a forehand winner before consolidating for a 2-0 lead.

The Italian, who came into the match boasting an 11-0 Grand Slam record against players ranked outside the top five, looked sharp early, forcing a break point in the third game before netting a forehand that allowed Rune to steady himself and hold.

COMPOSED

The opening set remained scrappy, with both players trading breaks as unforced errors piled up on Rune’s side of the court. Musetti kept his nose