Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini sounded all happy after reaching the Stuttgart final as he is now confident that his level is where it needs to be for this grass season. On Saturday, Berrettini defeated Germany’s Oscar Otte 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5) in the Stuttgart semifinal.
After being sidelined for three months because of a hand surgery, Berrettini returned to action in the first week of the grass season and immediately reached the final. “I am really happy. Arriving at the tournament, that was the goal [to reach the final],” Berrettini said, per the ATP website.
“From thinking about it and actually making it is a big difference. I am happy I am here and have another chance to play another final after months without playing and after the first big surgery in my career. This means this is my level and I have proved once again I am comfortable at this level and on this surface.
I really like it here at Stuttgart”.
Berrettini escaped with a straight-set win over Otte
In the ninth game, Berrettini failed to convert the lone break point of the first set and the opener had to resolved in a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Berrettini clinched the first set point at 6-5 but Otte responded by winning the next two points to take a 7-6 lead. Down 6-7 to Otte in the tie-break, Berrettini won the next three points and managed to win a tight opener.
After seeing only one break point in the first set, not a single break point was seen in the second set. This time, there wasn’t much tension in the tie-break as Berrettini opened a 6-3 lead and clinched three consecutive match points.
Otte was able to save the first two match points but couldn’t save the third as Berrettini escaped with a straight-set win. In the Stuttgart final, Berrettini faced Andy Murray and won in three sets to lift his third title of the year. Berrettini will now be hoping to defend his title at the Queen’s Club.
Source: Tennis World USA