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New Delhi: Lorenzo Musetti entered the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-2 7-5 6-4 win over Taylor Fritz in Melbourne on Monday to set up a meeting with 10-time champion Novak Djokovic.
The Italian combined to-level court coverage with blistering shotmaking to win on Rod Laver Arena to complete a set of quarter-final appearances at the four Grand Slams.
Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova degeated Wang Xinyu 7-6(4) 6-4 to reach her maiden quarter-final at Melbourne Park, where she will face fellow American Jessica Pegula.
"Honestly, I feel very proud. I know Taylor very well, we've played many matches, many battles. And last time in Turin he was the winner," Musetti said on their meeting at the ATP Finals last year.
"I came here with a different mentality and I think I made one of my best performances ... I'm very happy. I improved a lot on serve and especially being a little bit more aggressive with the forehand and trying to use my variations.
"My coach always keep telling me to be a little bit more aggressive and try to go for it, to try to take the lead in the rallies. And that's what I did today."
Ninth seed Fritzs moved all over the court to stay in tocuh with his 23-year-old opponent but could do little eventually as Musetti shifted his focus to 24-times major champion Djokovic, who entered the last eight stage when his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew due to an abdominal injury on Sunday.
Djokovic leads Musetti 9-1 in their head-to-head meetings, including six straight wins.
"Novak, we've played many, many times and every time it's a lesson, first of all," said Musetti.
"It's such an honour to share the court with him, and every time I leave the court with something I really think is helping me to try to win against him.
"He didn't have to play today, so I'm pretty sure he won't be tired. Hopefully the rhythm I have right now with the great match today will bring me luck for the next one.
"I feel ready to try to push him to the maximum."
