After converting his match point at Queens Club, Musetti found himself in a combination of relief and disbelief.
The Italian was not expected to reach this far at the green turf, but then neither was he semifinal opponent Jordan Thompson.
Despite being a surprise matchup this was a clash between two players who were expected to show improvements on grass but for different reasons.
Thompson’s game is built on natural aggression, big forehand and backhand wings and comfortable net game while Musetti has all court artistry but lacks the same power level.
The World #30 is a great mover around the court and holds sublime touch and slice that are crucial on any surface.
And after a high-octane three-quality clash, he ultimately prevailed against the Aussie, securing a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory to reach his maiden grass court final.
“Definitely a tough match, but I think Jordan played really good tennis till the end. We fought really hard till the last point,” he said.
“The energy and the intensity that I put on court today was really, really high, and for sure one of the key moments at the end of the third set when I broke him on the 4-3 was something really special and really, really important for the turnaround of the match.
“I’m really, really happy to be in the final.”
Having been seeded at the Cinch Championships 12 months ago, Musetti hit a slump in rankings and was not in the same position this year as he was handed a tricky draw against the in-form and another Australian Alex de Minaur.
Despite a tough first frame, the 22-year-old displayed great resilience against the World #7 as he came from behind in a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 win to put himself into the R2 of the tourney.
He then secured wins against a fiery Brandon Nakashima and Billy Harris before eventually knocking out Thompson in the semis – a third 3-set win in four matches.
“It’s been a fantastic week. There were many tournaments where I felt when I was practicing that I could go forward but it never happened.
“I didn’t have the results that I probably needed for my level, for the tennis I’m showing. You know, it’s with a lot of pain inside, a lot of suffer, a lot up-and-down.
“The consistency that I’m finding right now, it’s really, really important, because as I said on court, I’m surrounded by really people that really care about me.
“We are working together as a family, as a team. That’s even more special for me with that.”
Musetti’s shares his successful run to the biggest final with the World No. 1 Jannik Sinner as it is former’s first final appearance since October 2022.
Currently led by Sinner, the recent surge within the Italian game is also inspired by Grand Slam finalists Jasmine Paolini and Matteo Berrettini.
Musetti was part of the Italy’s Davis Cup squad that rose to victory for the first time in 47 years last November and after the emergence of Matteo Arnaldi on the tour, Italians are making a strong force on the ATP circuit without a question.
With Sinner also in the final Sunday final against Hubert Hurkacz in Halle – Musetti is inspired to to write a latest special chapter in the history of Italian tennis.
“As Italian tennis, we are living a dream, I would say,” he commented, whilst smiling.
“Firstly, the win of the Davis Cup. Then Jannik won a Grand Slam title. Then he became No. 1 in the world.
“Almost every week we have some Italian even in the women’s, Jasmine Paolini, she’s doing amazing. With [Sara] Errani also in doubles, they won Rome.
“This week we have [Simone] Bolelli and [Andrea] Vavassori who made also final in French Open and the Australian Open, and they are finalists also in Halle, as Jannik. So we have one doubles team and two Italians in the finals.
“I think even for the fans and the kids, we are really inspiring people to watch and, you know, to love tennis.
“That’s what we love about sport. It’s about sharing with others our passion, so I’m really looking forward to playing tomorrow, and of course I will enjoy even the Halle finals tomorrow.”