Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini has been making a significant comeback after a couple of challenging seasons. With a performance that’s been nothing short of impressive, Berrettini has been turning heads in the tennis world, particularly at the Doha ATP 500 and Dubai ATP 500 tournaments.
Berrettini, known for his formidable game, marked a pivotal milestone in his career at the Doha ATP 500. Here, he beat the celebrated Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, in the first round – a feat he hadn’t achieved before on the professional circuit. This significant win has undoubtedly boosted Berrettini’s confidence, positioning him as a potential threat at high-stakes tournaments.
Despite a sterling performance in Qatar, Berrettini couldn’t progress to the semifinals, halted by an outstanding display of tennis from Jack Draper. Nonetheless, Berrettini’s performance was far from disappointing, signaling a resurgence in his prowess on the court.
Berrettini’s impressive streak continued at the Dubai ATP 500, where he advanced to the quarterfinals. Here, he met with a formidable opponent, Stefanos Tsitsipas. In a thrilling match, Berrettini pushed the tournament champion to the edge, only conceding in the third set.
With the Indian Wells tournament on the horizon, Berrettini could potentially exact revenge on Tsitsipas, provided he first overcomes his Australian rival, Christopher O’Connell, whom he has already defeated in Dubai.
Italian Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri has spoken highly of Berrettini’s recent performances in an extensive interview with ‘SuperTennis’. Volandri believes that Berrettini’s marked improvement, particularly his enhanced backhand, is a testament to his hard work with coach Umberto Ferrara. Volandri is confident that as long as Berrettini remains injury-free and continues to train diligently, he poses a significant threat to top-ranking players, especially on faster surfaces and the Wimbledon grass.
In summary, Berrettini’s recent performances have indicated a return to form. His victories against top-tier players and his close matches against tournament champions illustrate his potential to cause upsets in future tournaments. As long as he remains injury-free and continues to train effectively, Berrettini could potentially emerge as the dark horse at Indian Wells and future tournaments.
