By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Jannik Sinner edged buddy Matteo Berrettini in an all-Italian second-round Wimbledon thriller.
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
The all-Italian Wimbledon blockbuster escalated into a tense fourth-set tiebreaker.
Beneath the closed Centre Court roof, Jannik Sinner withstood Matteo Berrettini’s wall-rocking blasts.
On the strength of timely stretch returns, Sinner edged buddy Berrettini 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(4) in a pulsating Wimbledon second-round win that was one of the highest-quality matches of the tournament so far.
"Overall it has been a very good match from both sides, and happy to close it out in four," Sinner said after his win.
The 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini threw down some massive serves—he served 72 percent, pumped 28 aces against only 3 double faults and fought off eight of 10 break points, including saving match point while serving at 5-6, 30-40 in the fourth set.
World No. 1 Sinner rose up in the tiebreakers with some superb returns including a stretched strike on his second match point to seal a three hour, 42-minute thriller that ended after 10:30 p.m. London time.
In a match of fashion and fireworks that echoed throughout Centre Court, Gucci ambassador Sinner was a bit sharper than Boss brand model Berrettini amid tiebreaker pressure.
"I think out of three tiebreaks, twice he was up a mini-break, which I got back straight away," Sinner said. "The small momentum can change quite fast. I served quite well in the tiebreaker. I guessed a little bit right also on the returns.
"These small details against Matteo, such an incredible server and player on grass, only the small details can make the difference. Happy to see him back playing, playing this level again."
Centre Court fans, including Mirka Federer, Roger Federer’s wife, stood and saluted both Italians for a shared inspired effort.
Last month, Sinner was seeking his first grass-court crown.
Today, Sinner won three tiebreaker sets against a former Wimbledon finalist, stretching his streak to five straight grass-court tiebreakers won that includes his victory over 2022 champion Hubert Hurkacz in the Halle final.
In addition to reaching the Wimbledon third round for the third straight year, Sinner raised his 2024 record to 40-3.
"I guess what I have to take from this match is that the level is there, which is something that I also always believed, but until you really prove yourself, it's tough to feel it, I guess," Berrettini said. "It's tough to say something. I think it was a great match. It's tennis.
"At the end it was a matter of how many matches like this I played in the last year. I feel obviously proud of myself, but at the same time obviously a little bit sad for the result."
The 2023 semifinalist will face Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic for a trip to the fourth round.
Though Berrettini more than doubled Sinner’s winner total—65 to 32—poise under pressure and the skill to stretch the court with his fast, flat drives helped Sinner squeeze out the first-set tiebreaker.
Berrettini broke through with the first break of the match for a 4-2 second-set lead.
Battling back from love-30 down in the following game, Berrettini drew even at deuce only to cough up his first double fault for break point.
Driving back a second-serve return, Sinner pinned his compatriot behind the baseline drawing an error off the back foot to break back for 3-4.
Tennis royalty was courtside. Roger Federer’s wife Mirka Federer and his mom, Lynette Federer, were watching as action intensified.
Staring down a break point in the ninth game, Berrettini blasted successive service aces for ad-in then slid a slice backhand off the sideline. The lines person called it out, chair umpire James Keothavong immediately—and correctly—over-ruled and the point was replayed.
Working over the former finalist’s weaker backhand wing, Sinner induced another backhand error for a second break point. Berrettini saved it and showed his defiance blasting a bounce smash to cap a hard-fought hold for 5-4.
Opening the second set tiebreaker with a backhand bolt down the line, a sharp Sinner stretched his lead to 4-1.
One reason for Sinner’s dominance this season is the serving stance adjustment he made prior to the 2023 Wimbledon. Another reason is how devastating he can be detonating angles off seemingly safe shots down the middle.
Taking a quick step left, Sinner combated a shot down the line crushing a clean inside-out forehand winner for a 5-2 tiebreaker lead. Sinner slammed a serve out wide snatching a two-set lead after two hours, two minutes.
The lead and the momentum were firmly in the top seed’s hands, but Sinner sputtered in his sloppiest game of the match to gift-wrap the break and a 1-0 lead to Berrettini to start the third set.
Reasserting his heavy topspin forehand, Berrettini did not give up the cause. The former finalist fired his forehand with menacing intentions banging out a second break of the third set for a 4-1 lead.
A confident Berrettini crashed consecutive aces closing the third set with a bang.
Facing break point stress in the third game, Sinner did not hold back. Belting a series of scalding forehands, Sinner saved the break point.
The low Berrettini slice backhand pinned Sinner in the corner and he tried to redirect down the line over the high part of the net. Sinner failed to face a break point then slapped a forehand off the tape.
For the second straight set, Berrettini snatched the early break and went up 2-1.
After that shaky game, Sinner plopped down in his court side seat, threw his purple Wimbledon towel over his head, Vera Zvonareva-style, and leaned back in his chair as if trying to refocus.
The Halle champion did exactly that. Sinner broke right back in the fourth game.
Serving at 4-5 in the fourth set, Berrettini showed his explosive athleticism ending an electric rally with a full-stretch forehand stab volley. That exchange left Sinner looking a little winded and Berrettini empowered. The man in the backward baseball cap cracked his 24th ace to even the set, 5-all.
When Berrettini stepped up to serve at 5-6 he held new balls and the confidence that comes from serving 71 percent to that point.
Former junior champion skier often says there aren’t many similarities between tennis and ski racing. Still, Sinner showed exceptional body control fighting off a pair of rib-rattling body serves for love-30 in the 12th game.
A successful Sinner challenge over-turned what was initially ruled an ace from Berrettini. Instead of game point, the bearded Italian double-faulted to hand Sinner match point.
Whipping the wide serve, Berrettini saved it. A fired up Berrettini hammered a heavy forehand winner to claw back from the brink and force the fourth-set tiebreaker.
On the move mid-court, Sinner softly angled a slick running forehand volley from the doubles alley to take a 3-2 lead in the tiebreaker.
Trying to get aggressive off a second-serve return, Berrettini missed long as Sinner went ahead 5-3.
A key difference in this match was the Sinner backhand down the line. Torching a blazing backhand down the line gave Sinner three more match points at 6-3.
Berrettini banged his final ace to save one, but Sinner slashed a return right back at his friend’s feet ending an entertaining duel.