By Tennis Now | Monday, October 21, 2019
Matteo Berrettini blasted 10 aces battling back from a set down to defeat Kyle Edmund 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and advance to the Vienna second round.
Aiming to book his spot in London, Matteo Berrettini was victorious in his Vienna opener.
Berrettini blasted 10 aces battling back from a set down and overcoming an ankle strain to defeat to defeat Kyle Edmund 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and advance to the Vienna second round.
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Currently in eighth position to secure a spot in the ATP Finals at London's O2 Arena, Berrettini is intent on posting positive results this week in Vienna and next week at the Rolex Paris Masters to earn his spot in the season-ending event.
Staring down three break points in the opening game of the second set, Berrettini was in danger of going down a set and a break.
The third-seeded Italian began finding the range on his vaunted serve and explosive forehand to ignite his comeback. Berrettini broke in the eighth game then served out the second set at 15 to force a decider.
Former Australian Open semifinalist Edmund saved two break points but Berrettini converted the third breaking for a 2-1 lead in the final set. Berrettini fought off four of five break points and served out a two hour, five-minute victory at love.
The 11th-ranked Rome resident will face either fellow US Open semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov for a quarterfinal spot.
Dimitrov scored his 300th career victory conquering qualifier Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 7-5 in a match that featured eight service breaks.
Earlier, Diego Schwartzman saved four of five break points sweeping Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-4.
The fifth-seeded Argentinean will play either Sam Querrey or Adrian Mannarino in the round of 16.