After his title in Stuttgart, Matteo Berrettini will play this Sunday at Queen’s a second consecutive final on grass after his victory in two sets over Botic van de Zandschulp.
Matteo Berrettini confirms his resounding return to the ATP Tour. Absent throughout the season on clay due to a sore wrist, the Italian is on course to win a second consecutive title on grass. Indeed, after lifting the trophy last week in Stuttgart, the 10th player in the world will play the final of the prestigious Queen’s tournament for the second consecutive year, he who is the title holder. For this, the number 2 seed got the better of Botic van de Zandschulp. A semi-final which started with two solid players serving, including three shutouts in the first five contested. However, Matteo Berrettini finally knew how to take the lead after a marathon game with nine draws. On the ninth occasion, the Italian ended up making the break, confirmed in stride by a white game. But, at the time of concluding this first round, the 10th in the world suffered the last stand of Botic van de Zandschulp.
BACK-TO-BACK FINALS FOR @MattBerrettini‼️
He takes out Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-3 to advance in London.@QueensTennis | #cinchChampionships pic.twitter.com/vGU5T8sUS8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 18, 2022
Berrettini struck at the right time
After saving a set point, the Dutchman took his second opportunity to erase his late break but failed to make the connection on the scoreboard. Indeed, in the process, Matteo Berrettini put a new boost on the commitment of his opponent to put an end to the set. The start of the second set resembled that of the first except that, this time, Botic van de Zandschulp did not give in when his opponent had his first three break points. But, despite an interruption by the rain, which had already postponed the start of the meeting, the 29th in the world could not delay very long the moment when Matteo Berrettini would have taken control. The sixth game saw the Italian make the hole in the score then, on his first match point, put an end to the debates (6-4, 6-3 in 1h31 ‘). Filip Krajinovic or Marin Cilic will be his opponent for the title.
#row #Berrettini
