Berrettini Storms Into Stuttgart Final On Return

Matteo Berrettini’s comeback hit new heights on Saturday when the Italian edged Germany’s Oscar Otte 7-6(7), 7-6(5) at the BOSS OPEN to reach his first tour-level final of the season.

Berrettini missed the clay season after being sidelined with a right-hand injury in March. However, the second seed has quickly found his best level on his return this week in Stuttgart, serving well and dictating on his forehand to reach a fourth tour-level final on grass.

In a tight clash, the World No. 10 fired 18 aces, won 84 per cent (41/49) of his first-serve points and saved one set point at 6/7 in the first-set tie-break, before eventually advancing after one hour and 48 minutes. The Italian now leads the 28-year-old 3-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

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With his victory, Berrettini has extended his perfect record to 8-0 at the ATP 250 grass-court event, having lifted the trophy on his debut in 2019. The 26-year-old, who is 27-6 on grass in his career, will face Australian Nick Kyrgios or former World No. 1 Andy Murray on Sunday.

Alongside Stuttgart, the five-time tour-level champion captured the crown at the Cinch Championships in London last year, before he advanced to his maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, losing to Novak Djokovic.

Home favourite Otte was playing in his second tour-level semi-final of the season after reaching the last four in Munich in April. The German is up to No. 50 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings following his run in Stuttgart.