World no. 10 Matteo Berrettini ousted US Open champion Dominic Thiem 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 21 minutes at the ATP Cup opener in Melbourne today, giving notice Italian tennis is ready to challenge for honours in 2021.
Thiem lacked timing throughout the match as the more aggressive Berrettini broke his opponents’ serve four times to seal the tie.
Berrettini wrapped up the first set in 30 minutes but was made to fight harder in the second as Thiem battled back from 3-0 down to 2-4 before the Italian broke again to triumph.
