Berrettini cuts through tie-break tension in Kitzbühel opener

  • Posted: Jul 23, 2024

Matteo Berrettini arrived in Kitzbühel with a title-winning confidence, and the Italian needed every bit of it to avoid an early exit on Tuesday at the Generali Open.

The Italian, who on Sunday clinched his second ATP Tour crown of the season in Gstaad, overcame Pavel Kotov 7-6(6), 7-6(5) at the Austrian clay ATP 250. Berrettini rallied from a break down in the opening set and also saved a set point in the first-set tie-break before going on to seal a two-hour, 16-minute first-round triumph.

“A really tough match. I expected that,” said Berrettini after his win. “It’s still clay and at altitude, but it’s completely different [to Gstaad]. It took me some games to get used to the conditions, but the most important thing is that the more I was playing, the more I was feeling good. I’m really happy for my win and looking forward to my next match.”

The No. 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Berrettini won 86 per cent (49/57) of points behind his first serve against Kotov, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Now 13-1 on clay since the start of the 2023 season, the Italian will take on second seed Alejandro Tabilo in the second round in Kitzbühel. It will be the second Lexus ATP Head2Head clash between the pair, and the first on clay.

“He’s having a great season. He won two titles and went deep in Rome as well,” said Berrettini of Tabilo. “He’s definitely feeling confident, but I am as well, so I think it’s going to be a great match. We played once in Indian Wells, so completely different conditions and different moments in our careers. I expect a battle, but I am ready for it.”

In other action Lukas Neumayer edged Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 4-7, 7-6(3) in a battle of home favourites, while Hugo Gaston outlasted Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4. Facundo Diaz Acosta and Daniel Elahi Galan also advanced and will face off in the second round. Diaz Acosta downed his fellow Argentine Federico Coria 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, while Galan defeated lucky loser Hamad Medjedovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

Source link