Tennis world stunned by Carlos Alcaraz drama in 'unbelievable' scenes
The tennis world has reacted with astonishment after Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti upset Carlos Alcaraz in the Hamburg European Open final.
Alcaraz, 19, was favourite to win his fifth ATP Title in 2022 having made the clay court final in Hamburg.
'CAN'T BELIEVE IT': Tennis world explodes over Novak Djokovic news
'UTTER JOKE': Tennis fans fume over Ash Barty and Emma Raducanu farce
However, 20-year-old Italian youngster Musetti put in a near 'flawless' display to defeat his younger rival 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4 in Sunday's final.
Despite the defeat, Alcaraz will enter the top five of the world rankings for the first time.
He is the youngest player to do so since fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Musetti was in his first ATP final and is being talked in the same breath as Alcaraz as a potential future star of men's tennis.
The tennis world was quick to recognise Musetti's achievement with his first ATP title in what was a high-quality match.
Fans also recognised Alcaraz's historic moment in reaching a top 5 ranking at the age of just 19.
What a match and what a moment for Lorenzo Musetti!
On his sixth championship point, the 20-year-old Italian is an ATP title winner 🏆#HamburgOpen pic.twitter.com/c3CJ9iTNE6— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 24, 2022
This is literally one of the best tennis matches that was ever played on our center court! We are enjoying every minute! It’s crunch time 🍿
📹: @TennisTV | #hamburgopenpic.twitter.com/2aLkUlXmuO— Hamburg European Open 〽️ (@hamburgopen) July 24, 2022
Phenomenal match today in Germany as Musetti beats Alcaraz.
Tremendous shot making, creativity, resilience from both players.
Tennis’ future looking even brighter after this one.— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) July 24, 2022
Lorenzo Musetti beats Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 to win in Hamburg his first career title.
Almost flawless all match vs. a player who missed way too much in important moments.
Good that he did in the 3rd set and not in the 10th game because that double bounce mistake... pic.twitter.com/piJ8KEpT5S— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 24, 2022
19yo2m18d Carlos Alcaraz will be a top 5 player on Monday, the youngest since Rafael Nadal in 2005. pic.twitter.com/AYRj40di8v
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 23, 2022
It took him six match points but #Musetti eventually claimed his 1st ATP title in his 1st tour-level final. Was the better player both on offense and defense. Beating such a strong player like #Alcaraz may well provide the shot in the arm that Lorenzo so badly needed #HamburgOpen https://t.co/tImqAwZhQD
— Rui Azevedo (@Rui__Azevedo) July 24, 2022
What a win for Lorenzo Musetti! Missed 5 match points in the second set and recovers to beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7(6-8), 6-4 to win his first @atptour title! His first title comes at ATP 500 level and he inflicts the first loss Alcaraz has ever had in a Tour final. #HamburgOpen pic.twitter.com/uutmEo3sqf
— PP (@PrashantSport) July 24, 2022
You'll never forget your first! 👏
Lorenzo Musetti d. Carlos Alcaraz in three wildly entertaining sets at Hamburg. He converts his sixth championship point to win, 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4.
Musetti is the tenth first-time winner on the ATP tour in 2022. pic.twitter.com/aK38DiSQ8E— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) July 24, 2022
Ok tt- if you have a way to watch this Alcaraz v. Musetti Hamburg Final… do it.
Unbelievable play especially in this 3rd set 🤯— Steph (@advantageCdngrl) July 24, 2022
Lorenzo Musetti wins Hamburg Open in dramatic fashion
The final was an epic, which saw Alcaraz saving a number of match points in the second set.
Musetti put his rival on the back foot by confidently taking the first set and had match point in the second set tiebreak, only to give away the stanza with a double fault.
But Musetti pounced on a break late on in the third set to reign supreme over a man who had won four tournaments already this year.
While Musetti pulled off the biggest win of his career, the match wasn't without drama.
In the second set, Musetti appeared to arrive late to a drop shot that bounced twice.
However, the chair umpire missed it and Musetti won the point.
While it perturbed Alcaraz, he was able to clinch the second set to take it to a decider.
After the match, Musetti was full of praise for the young Spaniard.
"You inspire me a lot. That's why I did this. I work harder," he said after the match.
"Tennis TV put our videos of three years ago, when we were still kids playing challengers. We are still young but we both played better."
Musetti became the 10th first time ATP title winner in 2022, which signals a huge shift in younger stars coming through the ranks.
The Italian will now enter the World Top 50.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.