Rome: Matteo Berrettini stops in quarters – Tennis – ATP – Rome

Matteo Berrettini is banned. The Italian, world No. 8, does not understand how he could miss his quarter-final against the Norwegian Casper Ruud. And yet the forehand he has just sent in the middle of the net marks the end of his journey at the Masters 1000 in Rome after 2h57 of a game far from having been exciting.

Adhesion problem

On his talent alone and a few well released shots, Berrettini was able to win the first round. But he was not sovereign so far. Above all, if the debates were balanced in his history with Ruud (1-1), the Norwegian had won their only match on clay.

And clay, Berrettini never seemed comfortable on it. Perhaps too dry (which should have suited her power play), she often gave way under her feet. It was not uncommon to see him losing his balance at the end of the race or struggling to change direction. Broken at the start of the second set, he could not do anything to make up for his delay.

The scenario promised to be the same with another quick break at the start of the third set, but Berrettini was able to react to return to 3-3. Returned to height but unable to overtake his opponent, he found himself forced into a tie-break. Once again, he broke away (5-3), but could not conclude and conceded the last four points.