Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini thrilled the crowds. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC
Jannik Sinner remains unbeaten against fellow countrymen. The 22-year-old defeated Matteo Berrettini on Wednesday, celebrating his 14th consecutive victory against an Italian and moving into the third round at Wimbledon. The match against the Roman turned into a real thriller in which Sinner’s greater coolness played to his advantage.
03. July 2024
By: leo
Since the draw was made last Friday, tennis fans in the boot-shaped country and all over the world have been eagerly awaiting this duel: Although Matteo Berrettini is now only ranked 59th in the world rankings, the former Wimbledon finalist is the second big figurehead in Italy alongside Sinner. The high expectations that all observers had were fulfilled. Sinner and Berrettini had a fascinating exchange of blows, at the end of which the South Tyrolean was celebrating. After 3.46 hours, the score was 7:6, 7:6, 2:6 and 7:6 for Sinner.
Sinner and Berrettini had to be patient on Wednesday as Daniil Medvedev needed over three and a half hours to beat Alexandre Müller. Given this, it was a good thing that Emma Navarro beat four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in less than 60 minutes. When the match finally got going, both players showed their class. Berrettini tried to use his powerful serve, his thunderous forehand and his venomous slice. Sinner tried to defuse these weapons with his entire arsenal.
Sinner, the tiebreak specialist
Although this worked well, Sinner was unable to take his opponent’s serve. It went into a tiebreak, in which the Sextner got off to a stumbling start, but then profited from Berrettini’s weakening serve. He grabbed four mini-breaks before ending the first set. Sinner was also on the offensive in the second set, but against the run of play, Berrettini broke first. Sinner’s reaction was prompt, as he quickly won back the lost service game. Once again, the set extension had to decide the outcome of the set. And once again the South Tyrolean managed to show his best tennis in the decisive moments.
Anyone who thought that Sinner would have no more problems was mistaken. In the very first game, the world number one made several mistakes, which Berrettini punished. After he fended off a break point in the following game, he acted much more freely, with increased self-confidence. This resulted in a 5:1 lead shortly afterwards and ultimately the set win for the great Berrettini.
Incredible tension
Sinner seemed unsure and made mistakes that one is not used to from him. A devious top-spin volley at the start of the fourth set paved the way for his opponent to break. In the style of a champion, the Sextner responded with an incredible return game that secured him the all-important re-break.
What followed was top-class tennis – from both players. No one was able to gain a decisive advantage before Sinner found what he considered to be a match point at 6:5. A precise serve, however, nullified this. The tiebreak that followed was hard to beat in terms of tension and brought the realization: Sinner is a mental monster. He ended the match with a fantastic return to another strong Berrettini serve.
Sinner’s next opponent: Miomir Kecmanovic © ANSA / TIM IRELAND
In the next round, Sinner will not face Tallon Griekspoor (ATP 27) as expected, but his conqueror Miomir Kecmanovic (ATP 52). In a five-set thriller, the Serb won 4:6, 7:6, 1:6, 6:2 and 6:3. The match will take place on Friday.
2024-07-03 21:53:47
#Duel #high #level #Sinner #passes #Berrettini #test #Tennis
