Matteo Berrettini confirms himself as a champion, in the head even before the arm. In a decidedly difficult day, understandable given that this is his second week in a row after an 84-day hiatus, he had to draw on all his mental strength to be able to manage an excellent Denis Kudla who surrendered only after 2 hours and 46 ‘with a score of 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. The Roman tennis player, the only top ten remaining on the scoreboard, thus remains in the running for the Queen’s and keeps the hopes of defending the title won last year alive. In the quarterfinals he will now find another American, Tommy Paul, no. 35 of the world with which he lost the only challenge, this year in Acapulco, forced to retire while he was at 6-4, 1-5.
Live Berrettini-Kudla; access to quarters at Queen’s is up for grabs
by Jacopo Manfredi
Won a battle of nerves
It was a very tough match. Above all thanks to Kudla who was good at constantly apprehending the blue by almost always taking the initiative in exchanges and thanks to good timing in response. Berrettini, after a bad first set, in which he appeared too passive and late in supporting, was patient in finding the key to be able to get back into the game. To meet him was the serve (22 aces at the end) which returned to work continuously and effectively in the crucial moment of the challenge, in the tie-break of the second set won thanks to 3 aces and 3 first winners. The final set was a battle of nerves. Berrettini tried to escape by going up 3-2 and serving but was surprised by the aggressiveness of his rival who immediately took back the brak from the disadvantage. Kudla had his big chance at 3-4, 40-40 but put out two accelerations allowing Berrettini to regain confidence. The blue took with his nails in the following game the possibility of going to serve for the match with a passer-by backhand which forced Kudla to put a demivolèe on the net. At this point the Roman risked wrapping himself up (double foul on the match-point) but on the ball of the counter-break he pulled out one of his many winning forehands and on the second occasion he finally closed with a nice backhand volley.
Berrettini: “Sixth victory in a row? I hope not to interrupt the series …”
“It was really hard but I didn’t want to lose. I fought, my team helped me, even if at times I mistreated them …”, he said at the end with a smile. “Congratulations to Kudla, he played a good game and he too deserved to win. If I did it I also owe it to the public who supported me a lot, especially in difficult moments. I feel very close to me the people here at Queen’s . It has happened since the first game last year, that’s why I like to come here. Is it the sixth victory in a row? I hope this series is not over “, concluded Berrettini.