Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the ATP Chengdu Open, saving two championship points to defeat top-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti in a nail-biting third-set tiebreak. The victory marks Tabilo's third ATP 250 title and propels him 40 places up the world rankings to No. 72.
Tabilo dominated the first set 6-3 with a powerful serve, but Musetti—ranked ninth globally—fought back fiercely. The 23-year-old Italian showcased his signature one-handed backhand to claim the second set 6-2, setting the stage for a dramatic decider.
Musetti appeared poised for redemption after last year's final loss to China's Shang Juncheng, earning two championship points at 6-5 in the third set. However, nerves crept in as he missed both opportunities, including a critical long forehand. The match spiraled into a tiebreak where Tabilo's composure shone, clinching the title 7-5 with a gutsy net play.
The 28-year-old Tabilo, known for his clay-court prowess, collapsed in disbelief after securing his first hard-court trophy. His triumph underscores the unpredictable excitement of Asian tennis tournaments, drawing global attention to Chengdu's growing role in the ATP circuit.
