Lorenzo on his way?

After a tumultuous start to the season, the Italian returns with confidence after an excellent Miami. Finally deliverance on clay for the former world No. 15?

Accustomed to much better win/loss ratios on clay, Lorenzo Musetti emerged from the shadows 10 days ago by stringing together victories against Safiullin and Shelton, thanks in particular to a dream defense! He will even have the luxury of rubbing shoulders with Alcaraz, something that always makes us progress because we come away humbled and with lots of ideas for areas of progress in our heads. He will play for the first time here in Estoril, he who used to start in Marrakech. I also remind you that he took out Djokovic in Monte-Carlo last season. In terms of playing conditions, as you can imagine, the Italian succeeds much better on land that is not too fast and located close to sea level. Luring Nuno Borges into a trap with a drop shot, a big round, or a big forehand tailcoat, that’s what’s going to happen today. I'm also quite curious to see what this match up can give because I have the impression that whoever takes the exchange on their own risks major disappointments. Against Lucas Pouille, Nuno could "just" be solid and put in one more ball to provoke a mistake from the Frenchman who played the game with skill. We'll have to be smarter here, but pushed by an entire country and relieved of the pressure of an R1 exit, Nuno could well become creative!