Matteo Berrettini made a late surge on Friday to keep his comeback hopes alive at the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Phoenix, Arizona.
The 27-year-old, is playing his first tournament after a six-month injury break. After two hours and 38 minutes, he narrowly defeated Frenchman Arthur Cazaux with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. The second-round match began Thursday. However it was temporarily halted due to rain following the eighth seed, Cazaux won the first set. The rain continued into Friday, resulting in a delayed start at the Phoenix Country Club at 5:30 pm.
Berrettini secured his second win of 2024 nearly 26 hours after the match initially began. He booked his ticket to the Arizona Tennis Classic quarter-finals.
“Unbelievable match. It took two days,” Berrettini said with a laugh. “Really happy to win this match. I’m really glad that I’m here, playing and enjoying my time on court. Let’s try and do one more.”
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Matteo Berrettini Shows Resilience in Comeback Victory at Phoenix Challenger
The Italian, Matteo Berrettini was made to have a break to love at 3-4 in the decider. That game Cazaux a chance to serve for the match. However, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist struck back and won four consecutive games to advance. Cazaux, 21, was just two points away from winning the match at 5-4 in the third set.
The former No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings will next play lefty qualifier Terence Atmane. That will be his third consecutive time facing a Frenchman. The winner will have to play twice on Saturday, returning to the court in the evening for the semi-finals.
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Berrettini was crowned champion at the ATP Challenger Tour tournament in 2019 after getting a wild card.
Italian Matteo Berrettini made a return in winning ways to the tennis circuit after six months away because of an injury. He triumphed in his opening match at the Phoenix Challenger on Tuesday.
The former Wimbledon runner-up, was sidelined with ankle and foot injuries since the US Open last summer. Berrettini defeated Hugo Gaston of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, securing a spot in the last 16.
“I’m so happy,” he said. “It seems like 10 years since I last won a match. I won so I’m happy twice.”
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