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Shot of the tournament: Matteo Berrettini Pulls of Impossible Rafael Nadal shot at the US Open 2020

Matteo Berrettini, seeded number 6, reached the third round of the US Open 2020. Berrettini ousted the French Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (6) without losing a match on the serve.

2019 US Open semifinalist Berrettini threw 17 aces and won 86% of first serve points to comfortably win the second round match. But the showdown will be remembered for a shot, it will probably end up as the best of the tournament.

At 5-5In the third set Humbert hits a high backhand that almost pushes Berrettini into the stands. But the world number 8 ran fast and hit a low forehead between the referee’s chair and the net post, positioning the ball within the field with utmost precision.

24-year-old Berrettini’s forehead is his greatest weapon as he pushed 48 winners to win the match in three sets. The Italian lost to Rafael Nadal in the US Open semifinal last year.

Interestingly, 2019 US Open champion Rafael Nadal also struck a similar blow last year against Marin Cilic. Nadal went around the net to hit a low pass that lands right on the pitch.

Matteo Berrettini will face Ruud in the third round

Norway’s Casper Ruud won his second round match against Emil Ruusuvuori after his opponent retired midway through the third set. 21-year-old Casper won an epic five-set match in the opening round against Michael McDonald.

Berrettini will face Ruud in the third round at Flushing Meadows. The duo only played once against each other in the second round of Roland Garros 2019. Ruud won the match on clay by knocking down Berrettini in two sets.

Ruud has never made it past round three in any of his Grand Slam appearances and will be looking to break the chain to get deep into the competition. Casper ranked No. 37 made a record to become the highest-scoring Norwegian player in ATP history when he achieved a career ranking at No. 34 of the world. Interestingly, Casper broke his father’s record, Christian Ruud.

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