Matteo concedes in the third set to Hurkacz in the replay of the 2021 Wimbledon semi-final. Italian derby in the semi-final
There will certainly be an Italian finalist at the Challenger 175 in Cagliari, one of the major events on the cadet circuit. Tomorrow’s second semi-final will see Matteo Arnaldi and Gianluca Cadenasso opposing each other. However, there remain more than a few regrets for the third Italian player involved today, the former world no.6 Matteo Berrettini. Who came out defeated in a very noble match for a Challenger, who had also been a semi-final at Wimbledon in 2021, against Hubert Hurkacz. The Pole won in a comeback, taking advantage of Matteo’s unforgettable day of service, 4-6 6-3 6-4, instead winning a good 84% of the points with the first serve, effectively making the difference there. For Hubi, who dropped down in the rankings due to an injury and is looking for points, it will be the first semi-final at Challenger level since 2019. He will face Roman Andres Burruchaga, who emerged victorious from the match against Marcos Giron 6-3 2-6 7-6(1).
the match
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Berrettini’s departure returns a player in excellent form, as seen yesterday against Navone. The break comes almost immediately, in the third game, breaking through in response and taking advantage of the diagonal forehand, where Matteo is superior to the Pole. And it will prove decisive, closing the first set 6-4, losing only 5 points out of 25 on serve. Hurkacz’s return in the second set starts right there, from his readiness to take advantage of some of the blue’s serving concessions in response. Moving him and forcing him into a few too many backhands. He canceled two heavy break points in the first game and then placed the arrow further ahead and won without excessive problems on serve. And the third set, although the court should be smiling at Berrettini, soon becomes the Pole’s prey. Hubi goes ahead in the third game, and will have to coldly and successfully cancel only one break point in the eighth game. Matteo’s last stand, which also pays 28 unforced and only 19% of points won by responding to the first. The public’s enthusiasm isn’t enough, it’s Hurkacz who ends up with his arms in the air. However, Cagliari will still have some favorites to cheer for tomorrow.
ransom
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The story of the week is in fact that of an Italian player, Matteo Arnaldi, sublimated by the beautiful 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(3) victory over Nuno Borges, n.3 in the draw and 49 in the world. The Italian had not reached a semi-final since February 2025, at the ATP 250 in Delray Beach, while to find one on clay you even have to go back to Umag 2023. Of course, here in Cagliari he is at Challenger level, but it is a 175 with a parterre almost worthy of an ATP 250. Arnaldi, despite having made more errors and scored fewer winners than Borges, makes the difference by always remaining within the match, more responsive in important moments. Especially with the forehand, diagonal where it usually suffers most. And a mistake from the right by the Portuguese sends Matteo to the semi-final and the audience goes wild, with even an angry reaction from Borges. First victory against a top 50 since last July for Arnaldi, who will face the surprising Gianluca Cadenasso. The Genoese doesn’t seem to have any intention of stopping, and wins the most prestigious semi-final of his career with a great victory. 6-4 5-7 6-3 the final score against Jesper De Jong, in a match conducted practically from start to finish, ahead by a break even in the second then lost. And his mental strength is also impressive, to stay in the game until bringing it home to the delight of the home crowd. Looking more and more closely at the top 200.
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