Matteo Berrettini

[Damian]

Berrettini, Fognini Sparking ‘Something Special’ For Italy At ATP Cup

Spoiler:

Italy will face Austria and France in Group C at the ATP Cup
With eight players sitting inside the Top 100 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, Italy has no shortage of talent to choose from when putting together its ATP Cup team. Matteo Berrettini will be hoping his country’s tennis renaissance continues in Melbourne as he gears up for his tournament debut.

The 24-year-old is joined by two of Italy’s long-time standard bearers in men’s tennis, Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli. Fognini has won nine ATP Tour titles in singles, including the biggest of his career at the 2019 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The 33-year-old also lifted the 2015 Australian Open doubles trophy with Bolelli, making them the first all-Italian men’s team to win a Grand Slam title. Doubles star Andrea Vavassori and captain Vicenzo Santopadre round out the squad.

You May Also Like: Nadal: 'We'll Try To Put On A Good Show'
For Berrettini, having a host of champions to look up to ahead of him – as well as #NextGenATP stars like 19-year-old Jannik Sinner rising fast – has always been a source of motivation throughout his career.

“We are always helping each other to get through our limits,” Berrettini said. “One week [Fabio] is winning a tournament, the next week I'm trying to win my tournament, at least my best result. I think it's really healthy competition.

“We were watching them and we were inspired by them. They're still doing great careers. I think it help us to figure out how to do it.”

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Berrettini burst onto the scene after a breakthrough 2019 season highlighted by a run to the US Open semi-finals. He racked up two titles en route to a career-high No. 8 FedEx ATP Ranking, but missed last year’s ATP Cup due to injury.

“I think we are all really excited to play, really excited to come back and play with crowd also, as well. It's been a long time... It's nice to play with a team. We're a strong team. We're good friends. It's going to be nice.”

That team support will be key for the Italians as they contest a heated Group C against Austria and France, anchored by Dominic Thiem and Gael Monflis. As one of four nations that boasts multiple Top 20 players, they’ll also be leaning on Fognini to do some damage in the No. 2 singles match.

A showman at heart, the 33-year-old will be channeling the energy of the Melbourne crowds more than ever at his second ATP Cup appearance.

“We are lucky that we are here and we play with a big crowd on court,” Fognini said. “My opinion, the player that I am, the person that I am, I feel I need [the crowd] because, of course, sometimes I'm a bit crazy. I do something special in every sense, but I really enjoy.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/berrett ... 1-preview-

[Damian]

Berrettini's Double Duty Powers Italy Past Thiem & Austria

Spoiler:

Italy moves to 1-0 in Group C action at the ATP Cup
Matteo Berrettini did double duty on Tuesday in Melbourne to help Italy defeat Austria 2-1 in Group C action at the ATP Cup.

The Italian earned a statement victory against World No. 3 Dominic Thiem 6-2, 6-4, and then returned to John Cain Arena alongside Fabio Fognini to beat Thiem and Dennis Novak 6-1, 6-4 in the deciding doubles match.

The pressure was on Berrettini after World No. 100 Novak handed Austria a 1-0 lead with an impressive win of his own against Fognini. The Italian No. 1 had to triumph to give his country a chance in the tie, and he delivered in a big way, doing almost nothing wrong in two stunning performances.

"I'm very happy obviously for myself, but in this competition we're playing for a team, so it's really nice," Berrettini said in his on-court interview after his singles match. "I'm really happy with my performance."


Berrettini never gave Thiem and his big-swinging game a chance to get going. The Italian maintained his ground on the baseline and went after the ball as soon as possible in rallies to win after one hour and 21 minutes.

The big-hitting World No. 10 did not play his best tennis in 2020, going 9-6. But Berrettini declared his 2021 intentions in a big way inside John Cain Arena, hammering away to claim a resounding victory against the reigning US Open champion, despite a late charge from the Austrian.

Berrettini now leads their ATP Head2Head series 3-2, including wins in three of their four hard-court clashes. This was the 24-year-old's first Top 10 victory since the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals, where he also defeated Thiem.

"It was really sad last year [to miss the ATP Cup], unfortunately I was injured. I saw the atmosphere in all the cities in Australia. It was a great event," Berrettini said. "This year I wanted to be here. Playing for your country is something special."

How To Watch

Thiem battled hard until the end, flicking a backhand lob for a winner to reclaim one service break in the second set. He then held a 15/30 lead as Berrettini served for the match, but it was too late for the Austrian, who missed a backhand in the match to end the battle.

All four players who competed in singles in this tie then returned to the court to decide who would move to 1-0 in Group C action. It was Berrettini and Fognini's doubles experience that proved key.

"I think we played a good match for sure," Fognini said. "He played amazing in singles. Without his victory, we are not here to discuss our victory in doubles."

The Italians have previously won an ATP Tour doubles title together at 2018 St. Petersburg, and it showed. Berrettini and Fognini moved around the court in unison, covered each other seamlessly and appeared the more comfortable duo at the net.

Novak and Thiem settled down in the second set after a nervous opener, but the Italians were simply too good. At 3-3, 40/40, they retrieved three Austrian overheads and a swinging volley before turning the tide in the point. Fognini finished it off with a reflexed forehand volley winner, and that was the only edge they needed to clinch the tie.

Earlier Tuesday, Novak earned one of the biggest wins of his career, defeating Fognini 6-3, 6-2 in the No. 2 singles match to give Austria its lone win of the day.


One year ago, the 27-year-old Novak played three three-setters in this event, losing two of those clashes. But the World No. 100 wasted no time putting his country ahead, upsetting the World No. 17 after one hour and 12 minutes behind exemplary aggression and net play.

"It was a long wait for today. I've practised since the beginning of December already, so I was really looking forward to today," Novak said in his on-court interview. "I was nervous, didn't sleep that well. I think you could see that in my first service game. I [gave] a really easy break, but then I tried to fight in the game and then I played pretty solid."

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/denn ... ew'>Dennis Novak</a>

In the very early stages of the match, it appeared Fognini, who is the fourth-highest-ranked No. 2 singles player in the competition, was firing on all cylinders. The nine-time ATP Tour titlist broke the Austrian’s serve in the first game and quickly earned a 30/0 advantage in his first service game.

But the unforced errors began to add up for the Italian, who was broken for 1-1. Once he let slip his early advantage, the tone of the match changed. Novak played aggressively and sprinted into net on numerous occasions, while Fognini was unable to find his rhythm from the baseline.

"Of course it's never easy to play Fabio. You never know what's coming," Novak said. "I was focussing on myself and I think I did a good job."

The Italian star, who cracked the Top 10 of the FedEx ATP Rankings in 2019, was under pressure throughout the match. When Fognini tried to go for his shots to turn the tide, he often missed the mark, making 38 unforced errors. Novak, who only struck 13 unforced errors, continued to unleash big forehand returns to maintain the pressure. The Austrian broke serve four times in his victory.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/austria ... 21-tuesday

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

Berrettini, Fognini Clinch Italy's Spot In ATP Cup Semi-finals

Spoiler:

Fognini beat Paire, French won doubles
Matteo Berrettini clinched Italy's spot in the ATP Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, defeating Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-2 to seal his country's tie against France. Fabio Fognini battled past Benoit Paire 6-1, 7-6(2) in a roller-coaster match earlier in the day.

Berrettini has dominated at Melbourne Park, defeating two of the top 11 players in the FedEx ATP Rankings — Dominic Thiem and Monfils — to lead his country out of Group C. The Italian, who went just 9-6 in singles play last year, is a combined 3-0 in singles and doubles at this ATP Cup.

"It's a great team, great guys. We are enjoying on court, but off court as well. I think when you're playing for your country, for your team, it's something special," Berrettini said in his on-court interview. "Definitely this is a competition that I missed last year and this year I was really looking forward to playing. I'm happy to be here and really happy for my team because we are through to the semi-finals."

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/matt ... ew'>Matteo Berrettini</a>

The World No. 10 went down an early break against Monfils, and he appeared in for a battle. In their only previous ATP Head2Head meeting, in the 2019 US Open quarter-finals, Berrettini needed three hours and 57 minutes across five gruelling sets to triumph.

But this time, Berrettini's consistent power proved too much for the World No. 11, who increasingly misfired as the match went on. French captain Richard Ruckelshausen urged his charge to stay aggressive, but to do so by taking the ball early and using his feet, not necessarily by trying to crush the ball.

While Monfils enjoyed some moments of brilliance, his Italian opponent never got too high or too low, and he did not overdo his aggression when Monfils attempted to extend points.

Monfils tried to pump himself up throughout the match. After receiving treatment on his right shoulder during the 4-1 changeover in the second set, the Frenchman earned a service break to keep his hopes alive. But Berrettini broke serve five times in his one-hour, 34-minute victory, which he finished with a forehand volley winner.

"I was ready for any score. I kept going," Berrettini said. "I thought about my weapons and that's how I won the match."

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fabi ... iew'>Fabio Fognini</a>

Fognini won just five games in his ATP Cup opener Tuesday, but he rebounded Wednesday to beat Benoit Paire 6-1, 7-6(2) and give Italy a 1-0 lead.

It was a wild match of runs inside John Cain Arena. Although Fognini nearly let slip a seemingly insurmountable 6-1, 3-0 advantage, he battled through in straight sets after one hour and 19 minutes.

"For sure I'm happy about my performance," Fognini said in his on-court interview. "The second set was really tough."

How To Watch

Fognini took advantage of Paire’s erratic play — including four double faults in one game — to cruise through the first set in just more than 20 minutes. The Frenchman became increasingly frustrated with his second serve, hitting five double faults from seven second serves in the opener. The Italian also showed his shotmaking skills, from lacing his two-handed backhand to finding an incredible angle for a winner.

"I was playing really solid, but Benoit was doing a lot of mistakes. I have to be honest," Fognini said. "Of course when he starts to play [well], he's a really dangerous player. He can play really good."


But despite trailing 0-3 in the second set, Paire battled hard to find a way back into the match.

“You have to try to focus on the things that you can use,” Ruckelshausen told Paire at that 0-3 changeover. “Come on, stay with it.”

Paire’s two-handed backhand, which is one of the best in the game, began firing, and he used his drop shot to great effect. Fognini’s level did not drop dramatically, but the Italian became aggravated as his lead slipped away. Paire won five consecutive games to serve for the second set at 5-4, but Fognini clawed his way back into the set with a crucial forehand passing shot winner.

Fognini was simply the more solid player, and that paid dividends as he closed out the match in the tie-break. The former World No. 9 saved seven of the nine break points he faced and took full advantage of Paire's 10 double faults.

Italy ultimately defeated France 2-1 in the tie. French doubles stars Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin earned a win for their country by beating Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 6-3, 6-4 in 67 minutes.

Last year, the Frenchmen went 0-3 at the ATP Cup. But they showed a solid level against the Italians, winning all 10 of their service games.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/france- ... day-report

[Kamileki]

[Barty]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Berrettini, Fognini Send Italy To The ATP Cup Final

Spoiler:

Berrettini defeats Bautista Agut and Fognini beats Carreno Busta
One year ago, the Italians did not advance out of the group stage of the ATP Cup. Now, they are into the championship match against Russia.

Matteo Berrettini sealed his country's spot in the final on Saturday with a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Roberto Bautista Agut, giving Italy an insurmountable 2-0 lead against Spain. Earlier in the day, Fabio Fognini clawed past Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Berrettini said in his on-court interview. "Last year I couldn't make it, so I'm really happy that the first time that I played we are into the final. The job is not done yet, but we are really happy for what is happening."

Berrettini has been a star for Italy in this ATP Cup, going 3-0 in singles and partnering Fognini in a deciding doubles victory against Austria in Group C play. The World No. 10 has beaten three of the top 13 players in the FedEx ATP Rankings without losing a set.

"I'm feeling good. I'm feeling pumped. I'm feeling great to play not just for me, but for my team and for Italy in general. That's what matters the most," Berrettini said. "I'm really looking forward to playing tomorrow."

Team Italy
The 24-year-old used a combination of controlled aggression and finesse to battle past the Spaniard after one hour and 26 minutes. The Italians jumped up and down in a huddle in their Team Zone after the match, celebrating their triumph. Russia, led by Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, awaits in the final.

"For sure it's a final, so we are the two best teams. These two guys, they played unbelievable at the end of 2020. They're still playing really good, but it's a final, anything can happen," Berrettini said. "They are great players, but we also have a great team, so it's going to be a tough one."

Berrettini now leads Bautista Agut 4-1 in their ATP Head2Head series, with each of his four victories coming in straight sets. Bautista Agut took a medical timeout after the first set, but that did not stop the Spaniard from battling hard. The 32-year-old added more pace to the groundstrokes to try to push the Italian back.

But Berrettini, who bulldozed his way through the opening set with his power, used his backhand slice and drop shot to great effect, and seized the deciding service break with a tremendous forehand passing shot.

How To Watch

Fognini responded to every challenge thrown his way in the No. 2 singles match to give Italy a 1-0 lead in its ATP Cup semi-final against Spain.

Fognini clawed past Carreno Busta 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 in a roller coaster battle that lasted two hours and 21 minutes. The Spaniard had won their seven previous ATP Head2Head meetings.

"I'm happy because of course this week I started slowly and I'm getting better and better," Fognini said on court. "The sensations are good."

After getting broken in the first game of the match, Fognini appeared concerned as he had the trainer visit to re-wrap his left ankle. But while the number seven was a bad omen for the Italian against Carreno Busta entering their No. 2 singles match, it proved a lucky number for Fognini at Melbourne Park.


The World No. 17 won seven seven consecutive games to seemingly take control of the match. Fognini was playing with controlled aggression, while the always steady Carreno Busta was making uncharacteristic unforced errors.

However, the rain threw a wrench in Fognini’s plans. At 1-0 in the second set, a delay of about 30 minutes changed the momentum. The players switched roles upon the resumption of play, with Carreno Busta back to his steady self and Fognini misfiring.

"I was playing really good tennis in the first set and then thats when we closed the roof. But I think I played three, four games in the second set really, really tight," Fognini said. "I was feeling really great even if I was losing those games. In the third set I think I played good tennis again."


With national pride on the line, the Italian maintained his composure and found his game early in the deciding set. He began showing the jaw-dropping shotmaking that helped him crack the Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings in 2019. But Carreno Busta, who was advised by captain Pepe Vendrell, coach Samuel Lopez and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal in Spain’s Team Zone, rallied from a double-break down in the third set to get within two points of getting back on serve.

While the Spaniard saved three match points on his serve, he was unable to hold off Fognini. The Italian's firepower proved decisive, and he finished off his victory with a perfect backhand drop volley. Fognini began his week with a straight-sets loss against World No. 100 Dennis Novak of Austria, but he has found his rhythm at Melbourne Park.

Spain did not play the doubles match, making the final tie score 3-0.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/italy-s ... -sf-report

[Lucas]

[Kamileki]

[Barty]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Kamileki]

[Art]

[Barty]

Mother Knows Best: Berrettini Overcomes Anderson In Melbourne

Spoiler:

Khachanov fights for second-round place

Ninth seed Matteo Berrettini grit his teeth to save eight set points in the first set of a 7-6(9), 7-5, 6-3 victory over former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson on Tuesday night at the Australian Open.

Berrettini, who hit 45 winners — including 14 aces — and committed just 15 unforced errors, will now prepare to face Czech qualifier Tomas Machac in the second round on Thursday.

“I’m very happy with my performance, as I played at a high level,” said Berrettini. “I won in straight sets, but it was really tough. I used the energy and confidence I got from the previous week, but it was a best-of-five [sets] match so it was different.

“I don’t think I saw Kevin’s serve a lot. I knew he was a great server coming into the match. But I served well too. I was fortunate on my second set point [in the first set], when Kevin was ready for a low volley and the ball popped up higher. I apologised, because that's what my mother taught me to do.”

The 24-year-old led Italy to the ATP Cup final (l. to Russia) last week, winning three of his four singles matches. He beat Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils of France in Group D play, then Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals, before losing to Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Berrettini didn’t give in and reaped the rewards, saving seven of eight set points on serve in the first set — at 4/5, 0/40, then in the tie-break at 3/6, 6/7 and 8/9. Anderson saved a set point with aggressive play at 7/8 in the tie-break, but was dealt a hammer blow on the 20th point of the tie-break when Berrettini hit a big forehand approach to leave his South African opponent lunging deep behind the baseline.

To his credit, Anderson didn’t panic after losing the 61-minute opener. He tightened up his game, cutting down on his 13 unforced errors, but at the business end of the second set, Berrettini stepped up again. Rather fortuitously, he broke Anderson at 5-6. A backhand flicked up off the tape, which Anderson volleyed back, but Berrettini responded by ripping a forehand crosscourt into space.

Lapses in concentration cost Anderson at 3-4 in the third set, when he recovered from 0/30 and held a game point. But Berrettini got his reward, on his third break point opportunity, with a powerful forehand that Anderson volleyed into the net. Minutes later, Berrettini closed out with a forehand — his 45th winner of the match

Machac, who is currently No. 199 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, had won 80 per cent of his first-service points before Mario Vilella Martinez of Spain retired in the fourth set. Machac was leading 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-0, 3-0 after two hours and 32 minutes of play.

Khachanov

Elsewhere, Karen Khachanov maintained his perfect record of reaching the Australian Open second round after the Russian No. 19 seed knocked out wild card Aleksandar Vukic of Australia 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-4 in three hours and six minutes. Khachanov battled back from 2-5 down in the third set.

“First rounds, playing an Australian guy are never easy,” said Khachanov. “I [had] never heard of him, but you heard from other guys that he had a big serve, big forehand [and went] for the shots. So it's never easy to play guys like this, especially when they feel like they have nothing to lose… So I would say it was a difficult match. I'm happy that I could get through and I [have] really enjoyed playing tennis since the beginning of the year. I'm happy to compete again and I feel fresh. I feel physically ready.”

He will next play Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis, who advanced to the second round for the fifth time after he defeated Indian wild card Sumit Nagal 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 10 minutes.

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[Kamileki]

[Barty]

AO21: pierwszy raz w 3. rundzie australijskiego szlema.

[9] Matteo Berrettini d. [Q] Tomas Machac 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-3

[Barty]