Italian Matteo Berrettini was made to fight for his victory over the unseeded Finn Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round of the Western & Southern Open after a loose service gave his opponent a way back in.
Berrettini was literally centimetres away from winning at 6-4, 5-4 ,40/30, but his service was called let and the young Finn raised his game to win the second set on a a tiebreak.
The 21-year-old qualifier then pushed Berrettini in the third, eventually falling 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5.
“It was really tough because I thought the match was over,” Berrettini said.
“I hit an ace, and I didn’t even hear the let on match point. I was telling myself, ‘You know this sport, it’s like that. A few balls and everything can change.’
“I have to say since that moment Emil started to play better and better and he started to serve really good. I was struggling on my return games.”
“Then it was a fight. I think I was really good mentally to be there after all the chances that I had, especially in the first two sets and also after 5-4, all those match points. I’m really happy with my mental performance.”
Berrettini will next play American Reilly Opelka, who beat Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 7-6(4).
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…