ATP Stuttgart tournament, quarter-finals, Friday, 10.06.2022
Is he back to his best in time for Wimbledon and two and a half months after his injury? Matteo Berrettini wants to show everyone in Stuttgart that he is once again a force to be reckoned with at the next Grand Slam.
The Italian won the 2019 tournament and will face a compatriot in the quarter-finals on Friday. He’s the bookmakers’ favourite, of course, but can I confirm that in my Sonego Berrettini bet?
At the beginning of the year, all was well with Matteo Berrettini. He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, defeating opponents like Carlos Alcaraz and Pablo Carreno Busta.
But as soon as March began, it was over with the physical integrity. At some point, the Roman pulled the emergency brake and announced: I’m taking a break before my fitness is restored.
He is now celebrating his comeback in Stuttgart. Berrettini knows how to win here at the Weißenhof, because three years ago he reached the final after defeating Nick Kyrgios, Karen Khachanov, Denis Kudla and Jan-Lennard Struff.
There he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6, a result that suits the Italian perfectly. The 1.96m giant likes close results. There are more than a few who say: Berrettini lives solely on a powerful serve.
Even against Radu Albot, in his first appearance here at the Neckar, it became clear that he still lacks some of his old form. The favourite won 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, but had to stretch himself.
The number 10 in the world hit 21 aces on the court and only allowed one break. What Berrettini can do on clay has been known since Wimbledon 2021, where he was only stopped by Novak Djokovic in the final.
To reach the semi-finals in Stuttgart, he would have to beat his compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, who is one year older than him. The two have actually never met in the main draw.
In 2016 and 2019, the draw brought the two Italians together, with Berrettini prevailing both times. 6-4, 7-6 as well as 6-4, 6-4, the results are not surprising given the Roman’s strengths.
At the French Open he was knocked out in the 3rd round, but whoever loses in five sets to the finalist Casper Ruud can still get some praise from the betting friends.
He started his tournament in Stuttgart with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Benoit Paire. His second appearance in the round of 16 fell victim to the weather chaos. He had won the first set against Jan-Lennard Struff in a tiebreak.
At 4-3 for the German in set two, the match had to be abandoned due to the rain and postponed until Thursday. Again, both served at eye level, again this led to a tiebreak.
For the second time, it was Sonego who had the stronger nerves and secured a 7-6, 7-6 in the end. He did not leave Struff a single break chance, even missing the one he was granted.
81% of the first serve was successful, 84% of the points won on serve one is an immensely strong value. With this yield, Sonego almost made one over on Matteo Berrettini. Will he be able to keep up this service game against his compatriot?
My Sonego Berrettini tip
Matteo Berrettini wants to get back to his old strength before Wimbledon, in Stuttgart there are still a few difficulties. But his service game is still excellent.
Lorenzo Sonego, however, showed exactly the strengths in his round of 16 match that otherwise only Berrettini brings to the table. Both like close results and are currently serving strongly.
However, I believe Berrettini will get off to a better start and win the match in the end. Therefore, my Sonego Berrettini tip is: The world number 10 wins the first set and the match.
