Matteo Berrettini

[Damian]

[Damian]

The Last Time… With Matteo Berrettini

Spoiler:

The Italian reveals the last time he cooked for others and more...
Editor's Note: This feature was originally published on 25 April 2021.

Matteo Berrettini has enjoyed a resurgence of form after dealing with an abdominal injury earlier in the year. The powerful right-hander blasted his way to the Belgrade title and then reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Madrid.

ATPTour.com caught up with the Italian to learn the last time...

I missed a flight?
I have never missed a flight before, but I’ve been close and I’m grateful to be a good runner!

I lost something important?
Two or three weeks ago I left my phone in a taxi and I had to call different taxi companies to locate it. I gave them a description of the taxi and thankfully they found the driver and brought it back.

I paid for a court or bought my own tennis balls?
I think I was in Boca Raton a few weeks ago and I bought some tennis balls, around $5 per tube. I didn’t pay for the court.


Being famous or recognised helped?
With COVID and stuff it’s not easy to go anywhere. But there was one time, a long time ago, I was with a friend in a queue and the security guard recognised me, so [they] let us in quicker.

I strung my own tennis racquet?
I used to string my racquets all the time when I was in Rome growing up. It wasn’t cheap to string racquets, so I bought a stringing machine. I probably last strung a racquet a few weeks ago, when I was in Rome. It doesn’t take me long. I’m not professional, but I would definitely be confident to use the racquet in a match.

I cooked for myself or others?
I normally do when I am in Monaco with my girlfriend [WTA player Ajla Tomljanovic], cooking pasta with cheese. It’s amazing and next time we’re together, I’ll cook it for her.


I met my childhood idol?
It was a long time ago. I think the first time I hit with Roger [Federer], in 2015, was a big thing for me. I was so nervous and shaking. I was sweating so much before we started hitting. That's a great memory.

I last took a selfie photo?
I’m not a fan of a selfie, so I wouldn’t ask my idol for a photo. After the 2019 US Open, when I reached the semi-finals, this Roman actor, Carlo Verdone, who is really famous in Italy, came to watch my practice. I was about to ask him for a selfie, but he asked me first. That was cool.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/last-ti ... april-2021

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

Berrettini: ‘This Loss Is Going To Be Useful’

Spoiler:

Italian owns an 8-2 record on clay this year
Matteo Berrettini was unable to extend his eight-match winning streak and lift the biggest trophy of his career at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday, but he believes his loss in the final against Alexander Zverev will benefit him in the future.

The eighth seed was one set from victory after clinching an 18-point first-set tie-break in dramatic fashion, but Zverev fought back and claimed three service breaks in the next two sets to win his second Madrid title and improve his record in the Spanish capital to 15-2. Berrettini, who was making his tournament debut in Madrid this week, is the only player to take a set off Zverev during the German’s two title runs at La Caja Magica.

“[To reach my first Masters 1000 final is an] unbelievable feeling. I'm really proud of myself [and] the work I've done, not just in the past months, but in my career so far,” Berrettini said. “I wasn't one of the guys at 18, 19 or 20 [who] was thinking about these kinds of achievements. I really worked hard to be here.

“Now that I'm here, I'm upset I lost. It's important for my tennis, for my level… Sascha won, not easily, but in two sets against Thiem and Rafa, and today [he] was struggling against me. This is definitely a good feeling and something that I have to use, to build [on] in my next tournaments. It hurts now, but I know this loss is going to be useful.”

You May Also Like: Zverev Completes Magical Madrid Run
Following the match, Berrettini spoke with his team about his performance. The Italian was disappointed that he was unable to convert the first break point of the deciding set at 2-1, when Zverev escaped danger with a powerful serve and forehand combination, but he does not believe that he made any errors in his pursuit to join 2019 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion Fabio Fognini as only the second Italian Masters 1000 titlist.

Italians are 0-2 in Masters 1000 finals this season. Jannik Sinner also finished as a runner-up at last month’s Miami Open presented by Itau (l. to Hurkacz).

“[My team and I were] all upset. Obviously, I'm the most upset one,” Berrettini said. “I had a break point in the third [set]. I think he played really good. I returned a serve that was going 220[km/h] something. This is just tennis.

“I actually felt that in the first set, even though I was up a break, I wasn't playing my best tennis. I was playing really good [at] the beginning of the second [set] and I couldn't get the break… In the third [set], it was a fight. no regrets at all. I left it all [on the court].”

How To Watch

Berrettini is keen to replicate his level in Madrid at the biggest events in the sport. The 25-year-old will have an opportunity to do just that next week, when he returns to his hometown event: the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.

Berrettini will be making his fifth straight appearance at the Foro Italico, where he reached the quarter-finals last year (l. to Ruud). The four-time ATP Tour titlist will open his title bid against Munich champion Nikoloz Basilashvili.

“My goals are to play big and good in the big tournaments: [the] Grand Slams and Masters 1000s," Berrettini said. "Obviously, [it] was a great win and great run also in Belgrade. We all know when you're Top 10, when you reach a certain level, you want to win the big tournaments. This was my first final [at this level]. Hopefully, it's not going to be my last.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/berrett ... l-reaction

[Bombardiero]

Finał Mutua Madryt Open 2021.

4-2 w finałach ATP.

Matteo Berrettini - przegrane finały (2):
2021 (1) ATP Masters-1000 Madryt
2019 (1) Monachium

[Damian]

How Zverev Critically Tamed Berrettini's Slice In The Madrid Final

Spoiler:

Learn how the German persevered in the third set Sunday
Crunch time roared to life with Alexander Zverev serving at break point at 1-2 in the third set of the Mutua Madrid Open final against Matteo Berrettini on Sunday. The match was two hours and 11 minutes old and everything that came before this moment was simply the prelude.

In a pivotal two-game sequence at 1-2 in the third set, Zverev initially imploded with two double faults and he strategically struggled figuring out what to do with Berrettini’s wicked crosscourt backhand slice. But from break point down at 1-2, 40/Ad, Zverev won seven of the next eight points to suddenly find himself up a break at 3-2 in the decider. He was not threatened again, pulling away for a 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 victory to claim his second Madrid title.

A key to Zverev’s impressive turnaround early in the third set was how he tactically adjusted to Berrettini’s slice backhand, intelligently countering with his feet more than his racquet. Overall, Berrettini hit 210 forehands from the back of the court and just 127 backhands, with many of them struck with severe backspin, crossing the net like a frozen rope. They bounced low, staying below Zverev’s strike zone, making them almost impossible to attack. Berrettini loves this backhand slice, as his opponent typically has to play defence off of it, and the slower ball that returns allows him ample time to feast on run-around forehands in the Ad court.

With Zverev serving at 1-2, 40/30, Berrettini hit one of his signature laser-beam backspin crosscourt backhands that Zverev boldly tried to attack with an inside-in forehand down the line. The heavy backspin dragged his low, offensive forehand straight into the net. It was a risky play for Zverev that didn’t pay off, also giving Berrettini confidence that this specific shot would be a valuable asset as he tried to close out the match.

Berrettini went to the backhand slice a few points later with Zverev serving at Ad/40. The German saw it coming early and quickly moved forward in the Ad court to make sure that it would not get too low on him again. The pressure of moving forward also served to shrink the target area for Berrettini. If the backhand landed short, Zverev would already be there for it. The Italian was forced to try to attempt to hit it deeper, pressuring the error in the net.

You May Also Like: Zverev Completes Magical Madrid Run
This same dynamic happened on the very next point, which was the opening point of Berrettini’s service game at 2-2. Zverev saw the backhand slice coming and quickly scurried forward towards the baseline to make sure it would not get too low. Berrettini saw Zverev improve his court position and changed direction down the line at the last minute and missed it badly in the alley.

It was the kind of miss that shakes your confidence. It’s amazing to think Zverev took away a strength of Berrettini’s game by simply improving his court position, moving closer to the baseline.

Berrettini went to his lethal slice again at 15/15, and Zverev quickly moved forward to take it early, this time hitting a high percentage forehand approach back behind Berrettini to the Italian’s backhand. The ensuing lob from the eighth seed went long. With the backhand slice quickly moving from an asset to a liability in this critical juncture of the match, Berrettini then tried to do more with his forehand and two wild errors followed on the next two points to gift the break.

Berrettini struck a lonely pose post-match as he sat on his chair shaking his head wondering how he got so close to victory but couldn’t finish. You can give all the credit to Zverev and his awareness to counter the backhand slice by moving up inside the baseline to take the low ball as high as possible before it became unplayable.

Victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat by Zverev’s court position and tactical counter-moves as much as anything else.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... brain-game

[Damian]

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

Berrettini Survives Rome Test

Spoiler:

World No. 9 Matteo Berrettini lived to fight another day on Tuesday at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, less than 48 hours after competing in a night final a the Mutua Madrid Open.

The Italian, who lost to Alexander Zverev in his first ATP Masters 1000 final in the Spanish capital on Sunday, recorded his ninth win in his past 10 matches by beating Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and two minutes.

“When you have big weapons and they aren’t working, you feel a little bit weaker,” said Berrettini. “He was returning really well. He played a really good match and struggled in the first set. I then found a way to fight through. I found the right energy and motivation, to be calm, and not get tight. Playing so many matches in the past few weeks helped me a lot. You always want to be clutch in the important moments.”


Berrettini, who is now 17-4 on the season, is currently eighth place in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin for a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in November and will hoping for a strong showing at the Foro Italico in Rome. Last year, he reached the quarter-finals (l. to Ruud).

Two weeks ago, Berrettini picked up his fourth ATP Tour title at the Serbia Open in Belgrade (d. Karatsev), prior to his Madrid final run. He will now prepare to play Australia’s John Millman, who defeated Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-3, 6-4 in 86 minutes.


Basilashvili, winner of Qatar ExxonMobil Open and BMW Open crowns this year, got the decisive breakthrough en route to clinching the 37-minute first set with a forehand winner. But Berrettini responded with two breaks and 10 winners in the second set. The 25-year-old went on to save three break points at 3-3 in the decider, and secured his fourth win over Basilashvili, when the World No. 30 mis-hit a forehand wide.

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

[Damian]

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

Berrettini: “It hurts now, but I had fun in Madrid”

Spoiler:

Matteo Berrettini came very close to claiming his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday in the Caja Mágica. The Italian player faced an Alexander Zverev who overturned a one-set deficit to end his dream of triumph on his first appearance in the Mutua Madrid Open main draw.

The Top-10 Rome native could not hide his sadness at defeat in the most important final of his career, but was able to look on the positive side of his time in the Spanish capital and what it will give him for the rest of the season.

The key in the final: “I was playing really good at the beginning of the second and I couldn’t get the break. In the third, it was a fight. I think it’s also what he did to make
me play not my best tennis”.


His game: “This was my first final. Hopefully it’s not going to be my last. It hurts now, but I know this loss is going to be useful. Sascha won not easily, but in two sets, against Thiem and Rafa, and today was struggling against me. This is definitely a good feeling and something that I have to use to build in my future”.

Learnings: “I’ve learnt that in the final I won a set I thought was at risk, but lost another I thought I had under control. I feel that I still have a lot of room for improvement by working to be stronger and quicker”.

Thanks to Madrid: “It was a shame not to be able to enjoy the city, but we’re used to it now. We miss a full stadium and their support during tense moments, but you have to value the effort they’ve made here in Madrid. I had fun here, it’s been a beautiful week”.

https://www.madrid-open.com/en/mutua-ne ... in-madrid/

[Damian]

[Bombardiero]

[Bombardiero]

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Berrettini Battles On At Roland Garros As Felix Falls

Spoiler:

Seppi defeats Auger-Aliassime for first tour-level win of 2021
It was not easy, but Matteo Berrettini battled into the second round at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

The Italian overcame a third-set hiccup to eliminate Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-0, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 after two hours and 22 minutes. The ninth seed has now won his opening match at the clay-court major on all four of his attempts.


Berrettini just had a tough battle against Daniel in the recent Serbia Open semi-finals, where he triumphed in straight sets. So it was no surprise that the 25-year-old had to dig deep against the World No. 113.

Berrettini cracked 14 aces and won 90 per cent of his first-serve points, blasting 47 winners in his victory. The four-time ATP Tour titlist now leads Daniel 2-1 in their ATP Head2Head series.

Now 19-5 on the season, Berrettini will next play Argentine Federico Coria, who eliminated Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2. This will be their second clash, as Berrettini beat Coria in Rome last year.

Seppi
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
The Italian No. 1 wasn’t the only player from his country to advance Tuesday, though. Andreas Seppi recorded his first tour-level match win of the season on Tuesday by knocking out Canadian 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 37-year-old won his first match at the clay-court major in four years with a 6-3, 7-6(8), 4-6, 6-4 victory over the 19-year-old #NextGenATP star in three hours and 33 minutes.

Seppi broke twice in the 41-minute opener and saved one set point at 5/6 in the second-set tie-break, before closing out on his sixth set point with a deep approach shot that Auger-Aliassime could not scramble back.

Follow Live Scores At RolandGarros.com

Auger-Aliassime recovered from a 2-4 deficit with four straight games to take the third set, but Seppi hung on in the fourth set, saving two break points when he served for the match.

Former World No. 18 Seppi, who reached the Roland Garros fourth round in 2021, will now face South Africa’s Kevin Anderson or Kwon Soonwoo of South Korea in the second round.

Auger-Aliassime, who had been attempting to secure his first match win on Parisian clay, is now 14-11 on the season, which includes a runner-up finish at the Murray River Open (l. to Evans) in February.

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