By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, July 21, 2024
Matteo Berrettini blasted through 10 of the last 11 games crushing qualifier Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-1 in the Gstaad final to capture his ninth career title.
Photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty
Give Matteo Berrettini an hour and he’ll give you a title.
Berrettini blasted through 10 of the last 11 games crushing qualifier Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-1 in the Gstaad final to capture his ninth career championship.
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It took Berrettini just 58 minutes to collect his fifth career clay-court championship and his second title of the season following his title in Marrakech last spring.
The title run comes six years after Berrettini beat Roberto Bautista Agut to capture his maiden ATP title at the 2018 Gstaad.
Today, Berrettini turned the match around fighting off triple break point to hold for 3-all.
That spirited stand sparked the 28-year-old Italian, who broke for a 4-3 lead.
About a half hour rain delay suspended play. When play resumed Berrettini dominated tearing through seven of the final eight games.
“At the beginning I was trying to figure out how to play,” Berrettini said. “Because during the whole week, the conditions were really different. Every day was really different. It was really windy, then it was more wet and today it was really cold and drizzling.
“So it took me a little bit. I was able to not get broke from love-40 and I think from then on I found the right energy. I think when we stopped and we came back on court I found the perfect focus.”
Berrettini dug out of a triple break point hole summoning some heavy serves to even the set at 3-all.
In the next game, Berrettini went sideline to sideline running down a slice backhand he slide into the corner. That superb shot helped him earn the break for 4-3.
The 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini carved a forehand drop shot backing up the break with a love hold for 5-3.
As Halys served at 0-15 in the following game, rain began to fall heavier. Berrettini pointed out the rain was in players’ eyes as they looked up to serve, prompting suspension of play.
After about a 30-minute rain delay, play resumed. Halys missed a backhand down the line as Berrettini broke again to snatch a one-set lead.
Berrettini charged through 15 straight points to open the second set and never looked back.
The qualifier prevented the bagel blasting a big serve and thrusting his arms in the air holding for 1-5.
Berrettini closed his ninth title in the next game.
This victory vaults Berrettini back up to No. 50 in the live rankings and he believes there is more to come.
“This year when we started—I started late—we decided that it wasn’t a year where we would think about ranking. Because there were so many uncertainties, so many doubts with my body,” Berrettini said. “The most important thing is that I’m healthy and I’m playing good. I think when those things are there then everything can come.
“It would be nice to be seeded in the Top 30 in order to be seeded in Australia. I think that’s a pretty good goal I can have right now. Anything can happen, hopefully a good run at the US Open and the US Open swing. I just want to keep on enjoying and staying healthy.”