Mattia Bellucci pulled off the biggest win of his career at the 2025 Rotterdam Open, stunning Daniil Medvedev in a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 victory. But it wasn’t just the scoreline that made headlines—his bold underarm serve in the deciding set sparked debate, leading the Italian qualifier to defend his tactics, insisting he meant no disrespect to the former World No.1.
Bellucci, currently ranked No. 92 in the world, entered the round-of-16 match as a massive underdog against the 2021 US Open champion. However, throughout the match, he showed no signs of intimidation, going toe-to-toe with Medvedev and ultimately securing a shock victory in two hours and 37 minutes.
In the third game of the third set, Bellucci pulled off a daring underarm serve, quickly following it up with a drop shot before sealing the point with a perfectly executed lob. The crowd erupted in surprise, while Medvedev—known for his deep return positioning—had no chance to respond.
While some might have viewed it as a cheeky move against a higher-ranked opponent, Bellucci insists it was all about strategy and fun, not disrespect.
“I really tried to enjoy every minute of it. I tried to have fun on court and be myself as much as possible,” Bellucci explained after the match.
“I hit the serve and volley a bit and hit the underarm serve. I wanted to be myself, and I saw him far back. I really think it is something I used to move him a little bit from there. I don’t want to be disrespectful.”
Aside from the viral underarm serve, Bellucci’s level of play throughout the match was impressive.
First set: He took control early, breaking Medvedev to take a 6-3 lead.
Second set: Medvedev fought back, forcing a tiebreak, but Bellucci stayed aggressive, nearly stealing the set before losing it 7-6(6).
Deciding set: Bellucci earned the crucial break in the eighth game, then held his nerve to serve out the match at 5-3.
The win marks Bellucci’s second ATP quarterfinal appearance, a major breakthrough moment for the 23-year-old rising star.
What’s Next for Bellucci?
With four wins already under his belt in Rotterdam, Bellucci now looks ahead to his quarterfinal showdown against either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Tallon Griekspoor.
Regardless of the result, this stunning victory over Medvedev has put Bellucci on the map, and his bold, attacking style ensures that fans won’t forget his name anytime soon.
As for Medvedev, this second-round exit continues a worrying trend—the Russian has now lost early in back-to-back tournaments, leaving serious questions about his current form.
