The Roman, who won a year ago, extends the winning streak on the green. He beats the Dutchman in two sets and awaits the winner between Cilic and Krajinovic
How Matteo Berrettini’s grass shines, getting greener, day after day. An operation in hand that kept him out for 84 days, a 250 title in Stuttgart upon his return and, now, the final of the Queen’s of which he is reigning champion. The Roman, who has not lost on the green coat since the final of Wimbledon 2021, does not disappoint even against the Dutch Botic Van de Zandschulp, perhaps the most herbivorous of the rivals faced up to here, beaten 6-4 6-3 with a lot of interruption for rain. Matteo, in the second final in two weeks, awaits the winner of the match between Marin Cilic and Filip Krajinovic. The cap thus remains in the running for the encore of the London ATP 500 and, above all, it remains firmly on the top of Italian tennis, defending itself from the assault of Jannik Sinner ready to return to Eastbourne next week.
The match
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The game starts 42 minutes late due to the rain. The start of the match is in balance with Matteo serving well and the Dutchman who doesn’t let himself be overwhelmed. At the sixth game comes the jolt: the Roman wins two break points at 15-40. Van de Zandschulp cancels the first one well, risking the second serve for 30-40. Matteo, however, is in the mood for gifts and an unfortunate backhand in the back stuck in the net saves his rival. We go to the advantages, with the Italian who cancels a 3-3 ball, then he earns another chance to break with a beautiful backhand in advance. The long Dutchman is saved with the service and returns to the advantages. An arm wrestling that goes on indefinitely. Break point 7 is revealed with a double fault, but it’s not over yet: the Dutchman cancels it. At the ninth break point, another double fault by Van de Zandschulp who gives up the serve after 16 minutes. At 4-2, Berretto loses his first serve and allows the Dutchman to catch up. The pass of the Roman, however, is canceled by an immediate counterbreak. It is a perfect game for Matteo who closes the first set 6-4.
The interruption
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In the second set, at 2-1, Matteo Berrettini has three break points. But from 0-40 Van de Zandschulp manages to recover and keep the serve for the 2-2. In the sixth game the umbrellas reopen when Berrettini has two break points. The referee stops the game and returns to the field with the Dutchman who, when cold, must save the second break point. He makes a mistake and the Roman goes 4-2. Van de Zandschulp feels the blow, fails to react and yields 6-3.
June 18, 2022 (change June 18, 2022 | 16:48)
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