Matteo wins in two sets, 7-6 6-3. He will face Tien: “If I beat him I will have passed a good test”
Matteo Berrettini sends a clear message: he is ready for the Davis Cup. He was decisive in 2024, he wants to be decisive in 2025 too. He confirms the good feelings of his debut by reaching the quarterfinals in Metz (ATP 250) with a good victory, 7-6 (5) 6-3 against Aleksandar Vukic. A match that wasn’t so simple on paper, against a solid and constant serving opponent, who the Italian was able to manage as he did on his best days. Heavy with his forehand, lucid in using the backhand slice to take time away from the Australian, Matteo “was enough” to raise the level in the tie-break of the first set and a break in the second, helped greatly by 15 aces. He thus reaches a quarter-final for the fifth time in 2025, for the second tournament in a row after Vienna, strongly proposing himself for the role of second singles player at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna.
the match
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Matteo starts very strong: break in the first game and immediately good sensations with the forehand. However, Vukic knows how to excel on fast courts, also equipped with long levers and a good serve. He soon finds the counter-break and pushes Berrettini to the tie-break. The former No.6 ATP is also down 5-3, but takes advantage of the greater experience in playing these matches to raise the level when necessary and, with a few kisses of a blue ribbon, scores four consecutive points to take home the first set. In the second the script is very similar, and until 4-3 both serves reign supreme. Matteo saves a break point at 2-2 with an ace, and then breaks serve using his backhand, between return and slice, in the eighth game. It becomes a formality to close at 0 shortly after. A decisive victory, which gives him the quarterfinals against Learner Tien. They will play on Thursday 6 November, as the last match of the day, at approximately 8.15pm. “Tien is one of the best talents there is”, says Berrettini after the match, “he plays very well. I will face him for the first time, maybe the crowd will enjoy it. Quite a quick surface, today I didn’t play my best tennis but I raised the level when it counted. If I beat Tien I will pass an excellent test, because he is playing very well”.