By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday January 3, 2023
Matteo Berrettini toppled World No.3 Casper Ruud as Italy moved into the City Finals at United Cup.
Photo Source: Getty
When he’s healthy, he’s darn tough to beat. And, Matteo Berrettini is clearly healthy as the 2023 season kicks off.
The 26-year-old World No.16 eased past Casper Ruud on Tuesday at United Cup, 6-4 6-4, avenging a loss to the Norwegian in the quarterfinals at last year’s US Open.
It was a strong performance from the hard-serving Italian, featuring 10 aces, as he dropped just five of 40 first-serve points against Ruud.
“I think he was almost perfect,” his coach Vincenzo Santopadre said after the match.
Berrettini felt similarly about the performance that saw him snap a two-match losing streak against Ruud and improve to 3-4 overall against his friend and rival.
“Obviously super happy for the win, for the performance,” he said. “I think I played a great match, like Vincenzo said. Obviously I know Casper really well. We know each other really well. We played many times against each other.”
Berrettini, who improved to 2-0 on the young season with the win, which also clinched Italy’s spot in the Brisbane City Final against Poland, says he is surprised to be feeling so strong this early in the season, after not playing for three months, and missing the Davis Cup Finals with a foot injury.
“It was really nice also because, like I said after the match against Monteiro, I didn't expect to be that ready after so many months without playing. You never know when coming back how you will feel. I'm really pleased for that.
“Really looking forward to play tomorrow because we're feeling great. We won all the matches. Happy for Italy.”
The serve was the key for Berrettini, and he talked about the importance of dictating to Ruud and not allowing the Norwegian to get too comfortable behind his baseline.
“I think obviously I served really well. With him it's important,” he said. “He's really solid. He's always taking the right decision. It's important to be aggressive.
“Playing aggressive against him, I think it's always important. If you give him, like, a little bit more time, then he's moving the ball really well. Like I said, he's really solid. That's what I did.”
USA to Face Great Britain in Sydney
Team USA blanked Germany 5-0 and will face Great Britain on Wednesday in Sydney. Both teams went undefeated in group play.
Frances Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula ran the show on Tuesday for the Americans, the pair each winning a singles point, then pairing to win in mixed as well.
In Brisbane, Poland defeated Switzerland and will face Italy in the City Final.
In Perth, Greece has qualified for the City Final, and will face either Croatia or France.
The winners of the three City Finals will be joined by the team with the best record from the three losers of the City Finals. The semifinals will take place after a day of rest on Friday in Sydney.