Seventh seed Matteo Berrettini continued his strong grass-court season with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Botic Van de Zandschulp on Thursday at Wimbledon.
The Italian, who lifted the cinch Championships trophy on his debut at the Queen’s Club earlier this month, fired 20 aces to advance in two hours and 17 minutes. He is now 7-0 on grass this year.
“It gives me confidence because I know I can win these kind of matches, even though I'm not playing my best tennis,” Berrettini said. “I won in straight sets with a guy that was playing really good. It means I played a really good level. At the same time, I know that I can play better.
“I look at Wimbledon always with a special feeling. The first time I was here, I was just feeling like it's a temple. Being here, playing and feeling good, just everything is really nice.”
Berrettini reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2019 (l. to Federer) and reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Mutua Madrid Open (l. to Zverev) in May. The 25-year-old will next face Aljaz Bedene, after the Slovenian eased past Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 in 84 minutes.
As was the case in Berrettini’s tough four-set first-round win against Guido Pella, he had to show fight against qualifier Van de Zandschulp, No. 139 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. In the first set, the Italian saved two break points in his third and fourth service games as Van de Zandschulp caused the Italian problems with his aggressive baseline hitting. However, the World No. 9 then delivered a sucker-punch to break to move 5-3 ahead before closing out on serve.
Berrettini used his backhand slice to good effect and was impressive on his first serve throughout, winning 83 per cent (45/54) of points on his delivery. He improved in the second set, dictating more of the points as he sealed it with a smash.
The Italian was once again pushed in the third set, saving two set points at 5-6 with an ace and a smash to force a tie-break. He quickly moved 4/2 ahead and claimed victory with a forehand volley.
Also on Thursday, 17th seed Cristian Garin reached the third round at the All England Club for the first time in his career as he overcame Australian Marc Polmans 7-6(3), 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5).
The Chilean fought back from 2-5 in the first set and claimed victory on his third match point, after squandering two while serving at 5-4 in the fourth set, to advance in three hours and 23 minutes. Garin won the Chile Dove Men+Care Open (d. Bagnis) on home soil in March and is now 15-9 on the season.
The 25-year-old will next face Spaniard Pedro Martinez, who upset 13th seed Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) in three hours and 12 minutes.
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Martinez is making his debut at SW19 this year and has now equalled his best Grand Slam performance, with the World No. 107 also reaching the Australian Open third round in February. The 24-year-old won 70 per cent (59/84) of his first-service points and broke the Frenchman four times in an impressive performance.
Lastly, World No. 78 Jordan Thompson hit 13 aces and won 81 per cent (65/80) of his first-service points as he moved past Japan’s Kei Nishikori 7-5, 6-4, 5-7 6-3.
The Australian, who upset 12th seed Casper Ruud in the first round on Wednesday to record a maiden victory at SW19, reached the quarter-finals on grass at the Mallorca Championships (l. to Carreno Busta) last week.
He is now 12-12 on the season after recording victory in three hours and eight minutes. Thompson next faces Belarusian Ilya Ivashka.
The Italian, who lifted the cinch Championships trophy on his debut at the Queen’s Club earlier this month, fired 20 aces to advance in two hours and 17 minutes. He is now 7-0 on grass this year.
“It gives me confidence because I know I can win these kind of matches, even though I'm not playing my best tennis,” Berrettini said. “I won in straight sets with a guy that was playing really good. It means I played a really good level. At the same time, I know that I can play better.
“I look at Wimbledon always with a special feeling. The first time I was here, I was just feeling like it's a temple. Being here, playing and feeling good, just everything is really nice.”
Berrettini reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2019 (l. to Federer) and reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Mutua Madrid Open (l. to Zverev) in May. The 25-year-old will next face Aljaz Bedene, after the Slovenian eased past Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 in 84 minutes.
As was the case in Berrettini’s tough four-set first-round win against Guido Pella, he had to show fight against qualifier Van de Zandschulp, No. 139 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. In the first set, the Italian saved two break points in his third and fourth service games as Van de Zandschulp caused the Italian problems with his aggressive baseline hitting. However, the World No. 9 then delivered a sucker-punch to break to move 5-3 ahead before closing out on serve.
Berrettini used his backhand slice to good effect and was impressive on his first serve throughout, winning 83 per cent (45/54) of points on his delivery. He improved in the second set, dictating more of the points as he sealed it with a smash.
The Italian was once again pushed in the third set, saving two set points at 5-6 with an ace and a smash to force a tie-break. He quickly moved 4/2 ahead and claimed victory with a forehand volley.
Also on Thursday, 17th seed Cristian Garin reached the third round at the All England Club for the first time in his career as he overcame Australian Marc Polmans 7-6(3), 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5).
The Chilean fought back from 2-5 in the first set and claimed victory on his third match point, after squandering two while serving at 5-4 in the fourth set, to advance in three hours and 23 minutes. Garin won the Chile Dove Men+Care Open (d. Bagnis) on home soil in March and is now 15-9 on the season.
The 25-year-old will next face Spaniard Pedro Martinez, who upset 13th seed Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) in three hours and 12 minutes.
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
Martinez is making his debut at SW19 this year and has now equalled his best Grand Slam performance, with the World No. 107 also reaching the Australian Open third round in February. The 24-year-old won 70 per cent (59/84) of his first-service points and broke the Frenchman four times in an impressive performance.
Lastly, World No. 78 Jordan Thompson hit 13 aces and won 81 per cent (65/80) of his first-service points as he moved past Japan’s Kei Nishikori 7-5, 6-4, 5-7 6-3.
The Australian, who upset 12th seed Casper Ruud in the first round on Wednesday to record a maiden victory at SW19, reached the quarter-finals on grass at the Mallorca Championships (l. to Carreno Busta) last week.
He is now 12-12 on the season after recording victory in three hours and eight minutes. Thompson next faces Belarusian Ilya Ivashka.