Half the derby is set. Matteo Berrettini makes his debut at Wimbledon with a victory over Marton Fucsovics 7-6 6-2 3-6 6-1 and takes his place in the second round where Jannik Sinner could join him in the evening who faces Yannick Hanfmann in the third match on court 1. He knew that starting again in the first Slam of the season it would not have been easy, especially in a club that gives him shivers, for the memories and for the ability to heal the wounds of his soul, like last year when, bruised inside and out, he had gone all the way in the second week, stopped only by the champion Alcaraz. “I didn’t recognize myself – the Roman told us on the eve – but now I’m coming back. I have learned to forgive myself, to give myself time. ” He gave it to himself today too, when after losing the third set he went to the locker room to clear his mind and take a breath after the fatigue had started to make itself felt.
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HE MATCH
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A very hard-fought match in the first set, with breaks and counterbreaks and won by the Roman 7-3 in the tie break after almost an hour of play. The 2021 finalist tries to attack immediately in the second set where he jumps ahead by a break and extends to 4-2. With a second break he wins the 5-2 and goes to serve for the second break, closing 6-2. In the third, Berrettini takes a risk in the 4th game, under 0-30 he halves the disadvantage then concedes two break points. The former are falling, the Hungarian attacks the latter and Matteo hits a forehand down the line. Result: Fucsovics consolidates and takes a 4-1 lead after an hour and 50 minutes of play. The issue becomes complicated, the disadvantage is only one break but Berretto risks a double disadvantage before holding the 4-2. Matteo starts muttering to himself, says “I’m tired” and from the box they try to keep him up. “One point at a time” tells him Alessandro Bega who coaches him together with Francisco Roig. Berretto holds serve with difficulty and in the eighth game he tries to recover the deficit but Fucsovics closes 6-3 and stays alive, Matteo goes back to the locker room for a moment to clear his thoughts. The big opportunity comes in the 4th game with Berrettini ahead 0-40. The Hungarian reduces the deficit but with a double fault allows Matteo to extend the lead 3-1 and consolidate the lead 4-1. At 5-1 he serves for the match, goes 15-40 down and after a bit of ballet with the advantages he earns a match point. He closes with a lob also ahead of Vincenzo Santopadre. Half a derby is served.
