Matteo Berrettini writes another wonderful page in the blue tennis book. For the second time in a row he wins the prestigious Queen’s tournament (where he is the only Italian registered in the roll of honor) and continues his magical moment after having also triumphed in Stuttgart. For the Roman, who came to 9 victories in a row after returning from a hand injury, this is the 7th title in his career: now he is -2 behind Fabio Fognini who, with 9 titles, remains the second Italian to have won more tournaments afterwards. Adriano Panatta (10).
Queen’s, Berrettini – Krajinovic: the final live
by Jacopo Manfredi
A dominated final
The final against Filip Krajinovic had far less history than the final score (7-5, 6-4) suggests. The Serbian, No. 48 of the world, still looking for the first ATP title at 30, did what he could to try not to disfigure. He did it with honor by holding on to the score as much as possible, both in the first and in the second set. The problem is that in front of him there was an opponent who served better, he was more incisive in the exchanges from the back, flawless at the net and also excellent in defense, unleashing some excellent passers-by. The final balance of 38 winners to 11 speaks volumes about a challenge dominated by Berrettini who had only one moment of uncertainty, at 3-2 in the first set when he lost his serve after having just obtained the break.
Berrettini: “After so much suffering I almost want to cry”
“I closed a fantastic week in the best possible way,” he said at the end. “I wanted to win this tournament back and I succeeded. When I walk in the corridors of the club I see people who have made the history of tennis. Thinking my name will stay spelled twice is great. In this moment I feel so many emotions, I almost want to cry … The last thing I would have expected on the day of my return was to win two tournaments in a row … If I have succeeded in this feat, I have above all to thank my team “.
“I played badly in Stuttgart, I improved my level here”
His father Luca also came to see him in the stands. “After the semifinal, I wrote ‘What am I going to do?’ and I said ‘Natural’. He did well because in any case it would have been a good memory “. Berrettini could not ask for anything better in view of Wimbledon:” In Stuttgart I didn’t feel so good, I didn’t hit the ball well. I was unhappy and complained all the time, like a typical Italian “, He says smiling.” Despite the victory I thought it would be hard here, but as the days went by I felt better and better. If now I will take two days off? I hope even three … “, he closes jokingly.