Musetti’s curving forehand turns Hong Kong tide

In the humid press of Hong Kong‘s hardcourts, Lorenzo Musetti chased a breakthrough against Andrey Rublev. The 23-year-old Italian trailed by a set in their semi-final, his one-handed backhand artistry tested by Rublev’s relentless flat shots. Then came the forehand—a wicked banana that swerved wide, kissed the tramline, and hooked crosscourt for a clean winner, igniting the crowd’s roar.

Desperation sparks tactical revival

Musetti loaded heavy topspin to create that exaggerated arc, stepping inside the baseline to wrong-foot his opponent on the outdoor surface. Rublev’s aggressive 1–2 pattern had pinned him deep earlier, but this inside-out bend disrupted the rhythm, turning defense into attack. The shift fed Musetti’s resolve, as he mixed slice approaches with down-the-line probes to even the head-to-head at 1-1.

The moment carried psychological weight, easing the early-season pressure on Musetti‘s versatile game. Hong Kong’s true bounce amplified the spin, allowing the Italian to surge through the next two sets for a three-set victory. That flair propelled him to his ninth ATP Tour final, a strong launch into 2026‘s hard-court swing.

Flair outshines fan-voted rivals

Musetti’s shot edged out entries from Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Brandon Nakashima, and Cameron Norrie to claim January’s Hot Shot of the Month presented by Yokohama. Fans favored the bending winner’s drama over Davidovich Fokina’s drop-shot finesse or Nakashima’s net assaults. It underscored how Musetti blends artistry with results on faster surfaces.

As February’s ATP stops accelerate toward majors, this accolade boosts his confidence for tighter battles. The Hong Kong run highlights his growth, proving one curving strike can redefine momentum. Expect more such adjustments from the Italian, weaving spin variations into his one-handed toolkit.