a confident Matteo Berrettini beat the french Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6 and 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Open de Australia 2022. Although it seemed that the Italian put the direct to win in the first three sets, Monfils still had an ace up his sleeve to fight for the match until the last game. Matteo started the match taking advantage of the slightest opportunity to take the initiative of the point, something that Monfils was able to stop as the match progressed.
In the first set, the solidity with the Italian’s serve prevailed over a Monfils who had a hard time winning points from the back of the court. Even so, Gael had a break ball that he could not materialize on the scoreboard to prevent Berrettini from adding the 1-0. Matteo showed all kinds of winning shots, especially with his forehand, while Gael had a hard time keeping his serve at the start of the second set, essential to keep fighting for the match.
Gael adaptation
Throughout the match, Monfils adapted to those long exchanges from the back of the court. After saving a game of 20 minutes and 10 deuces, Berrettini broke the Frenchman’s service later in the second set to put the game very face.
Already in the third round, Monfils was able to take advantage of the seventh break ball so far to get ahead on the scoreboard for the first time, also with a double fault by Berrettini. Gael took that step forward he needed to put the Italian in trouble and take the match to a fourth set. As the game progressed, it was increasingly difficult for Matteo to get those winning shots against a Monfils who reached everything. The Italian tennis player relied on his serve to defend vital games.
Outcome
It was the Frenchman who pressed Berrettini to start the fourth set of the match with an advantage, which ended up adding up so that the pass to the semifinals of the Australian Open was decided in the fifth and last set. Matteo started the most tense part of the match on the right foot, putting the French tennis player on the ropes and leading the scoreboard with a double break. Although it was difficult for him to close the match, Berrettini managed to reach the semifinals for the first time Open de Australia, where he will face Rafael Nadal.
