Berrettini overcome late niggle in Kitz

Weekend Gstaad titleholder Matteo Berrettini kept his winning momentum alive as he overcame a hiccup while serving for victory but made repairs to advance into the quarter-finals at the ATP event in Kitzbuehel.

The Italian from flatland Rome continued his hot streak in the Alps after his Swiss title last week – his second in Gstaad – with the No. 50 upsetting second seed Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) on Wednesday.

Berrettini won his seventh match in a row and his eighth consecutive breaker stretching back a fortnight as he reached the last eight at this World Cup ski venue.

The Italian amassed a set and 5-2 lead but was unable to close out victory as he served for it leading 5-3.

Canadian-born Tabilo who switched nationalities to Chile managed to steer the second set into a tiebreaker, which Berrettini finished off for victory in his third match point.

“I was confident with my level,” the winner said as he continues a rapid return from injury over the past two seasons..

“”I served exceptionally well – except when I was trying to close it out. I’m happy with how I held my nerve in the (second) tiebreaker.

“I was pretty focused and did the right things in the right moments.

“I’m enjoying every chance to play. I’m feeling healthy and fighting for matches  after so many months. I’m looking forward to my next match,” he said after advancing in an hour and three-quarters.

Berrettini ended with 15 aces and converted on one of his six break points late in the second set.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago