By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, January 13, 2025
Photograph credit score: Graham Denholm/Getty
Matteo Berrettini confirmed main muscle reminiscence in his Melbourne return.
Berrettini bombed 32 aces in a formidable 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 Australian Open win over Cameron Norrie on KIA Area.
This wasn’t classic Berrettini—it was higher than that, Berrettini mentioned.
The 2022 AO semifinalist mentioned technically he’s a greater participant now than he was three years in the past, however concedes he had extra confidence then.
“I feel in that second I used to be feeling actually assured, however in the event you take a look at some highlights and stuff. I do not assume I used to be enjoying higher by way of strokes,” Berrettini mentioned. “Perhaps I used to be enjoying higher as a result of I used to be extra targeted. I used to be extra, like, used to play sure type of matches, however I really feel like my stage is up there.
“At present I feel I performed a very good match. My backhand I feel is best than three years in the past. My return is best than three years in the past. There may be nonetheless room for enchancment, fortunately, and it is only a matter of time and matches and alternatives to play towards the very best gamers on this planet.”
The 28-year-old Berrettini will play Thirteenth-seeded Holger Rune for a third-round spot.
Rune went the space in defeating China’s Zhizhen Zhang.
“Yeah, subsequent up Holger. We performed a few instances final 12 months, and I noticed the previous couple of factors of the match,” Berrettini mentioned. “Clearly he is an awesome participant. We by no means performed in a slam. So it is fairly totally different, however on the identical time I do know it is going to be a troublesome match. However I really feel good. I really feel assured. I performed, I feel, a very good match as we speak. Prepared for the subsequent one.”
