Tennis: Berrettini starts again from Italy: beat Kypson at Challenger 175

Matteo Berrettini leaves again from Italy, from Cagliari. On the other hand, the atmosphere of home has always been good for the former world no.6, and this is also demonstrated by the good debut at the Sardinian Challenger 175, which is essential for forgetting the clear defeat in Madrid as soon as possible. The blue started as well as he could, fighting and finally beating Patrick Kypson 6-4 6-7(5) 7-6(5). The American is a tough nut to crack and he showed it, overcoming a deficit in the tie-break and overcoming Berrettini in the second set when he needed it for the match. But, despite some missed passes and a too-often fluctuating backhand, victories like this can only be good for Matteo. Aware, as also said in the conference in recent days, of the importance of returning to accumulating results: “Going up the rankings is a process. As has already happened in the past, I am aware that I can get back higher. It is certainly a spur to try to improve, but I don’t play for that, but rather to prove to myself that I can still do it, that I can have fun, and because I like being there fighting.”

The match

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We immediately see a proactive Berrettini, with Kypson trying to maintain the exchange, even though the blue’s forehand accelerations often throw him away. The American is in fact the first to have break points, three in the second game, all cancelled. From there Matteo takes control, exploits the serve, and becomes aggressive in response, mortgaging the first set with a break in the fifth game. The match was balanced, although Berrettini increasingly appeared to be in control of the situation, with the ball just around the corner, also managing the American’s rare variations. Thus comes another break, in the eleventh game of the second set… but not definitive. Kypson breaks through in response, finds winners, opens the court with his backhand and forces the tie-break, where he comes back from 1-3, even with some lackluster shots from the blue, to force the decisive set. And there emerges the strength of will, the class of a former Slam finalist. Berrettini immediately goes behind, even in the first game, and chases until the counter-break in the eighth game. It becomes a battle of long rallies, a few too many mistakes and pure effort, partially alleviated by the wind blowing over Cagliari. Which in the end, after 2 hours and 54 minutes and another tie-break, closed with a powerful advancing forehand after a perfect exchange, Matteo Berrettini wins.

The tournament

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The Sardinian tournament, which will still be able to enjoy the former Italian n.1, is the only “Super Challenger” with 175 points, events created specifically to allow players eliminated in the first rounds of a 10-day 1000 to compete at a good level and not miss a week of competitions, taking place in Italy. While until last season, the Piedmont Open was also held in Turin during the second week of the Italian Internationals. This year Cagliari, supported by an important prize fund for the category of around 272,000 euros, can count on a first-rate parterre, with eight Italian players at the start, including Sonego, Bellucci and Cinà. The first two are part of the top 100 on the scoreboard: thirteen in total, with the first two seeds being Mariano Navone and Adrian Mannarino. Without forgetting the presence of Hubert Hurkacz, two-time 1000 champion and defeated a few days ago only by Musetti in Madrid. Lorenzo was also present in Cagliari when the tournament last took place, in 2024: he reached the final, surrendering to Navone, who will be Berrettini’s next opponent.