Atp Madrid, Berrettini beats Garin in comeback and flies to the semifinals

In Madrid he loses the first set, goes under a break in the second, comeback and burns the Chilean 5-7 6-3 6-0.Saturday at 9 pm the challenge with the Norwegian who had beaten him in the quarterfinals in Rome 2020

What a gladiator Matteo Berrettini! At the Masters 1000 in Madrid the Roman number 10 in the world beats Chilean Cristian Garin in the quarter-finals, 25 in the ranking, 5-7 6-3 6-0 and flies to the semifinals, the second of a 1000 in his career after that of Shanghai .

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The two met for the third time, with the Chilean winner in the final in Munich 2019 and the Roman on the Shanghai fast in the second round in the same year. Matteo on Saturday (not before 9pm) finds a hard nut to crack, the Norwegian Casper Ruud, in the third semifinal 1000 and ahead 2-1 in the previous ones. Ruud had beaten Berrettini last year in the quarters of the Foro Italico. On the other hand, it will be a challenge between Zverev, who eliminated Rafa Nadal, and Dominic Thiem.

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Per Ajla

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The dedication on the camera is for his girlfriend and colleague Ajla Tomljanovic who turned 28 today: “Auguri Brilla”, writes the Roman after more than two hours of battle. A nickname born after one of the first dates: “I like it shines because it has two meanings, bright and luminous but also cheerful, like when one is a little tipsy. Tomorrow he must play the qualifiers in Rome, we will see each other there ”. As late as possible, because first there is a semi-final against Ruud, one in confidence: “You know he’s strong, but I’m fine and I’m confident. So I think it will be a good match, all to be experienced ”.

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The match

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Garin immediately slaps Berrettini, taking a break in the first game. The Roman’s reaction, however, is immediate and the lost service is immediately resumed, putting the game back on track. The idea is that it will again be a match on the edge of balance like the one against Delbonis in the quarterfinals. Berrettini serves well, five aces in two rounds of service, the Chilean stops to ask for eye drops, but there is no concern for him, followed by Franco Davin, former Fognini coach. The Italian number 1 continues to bomb in the service, the rival suffers from Matteo’s pace changes and in response struggles, but the score does not go off the rails. At 5-5 Berrettini in the service opens with a double fault that makes one tremble, but Garin makes a mistake and returns to 15-15. Berrettini, however, is still wrong, he is not very incisive and loses his service sending the Chilean to serve for the set at 6-5. Davin’s pupil does not miss the opportunity and earns three set points. A suddenly submissive Berrettini suffers a partial of 12 points to 2 and concedes the first set 7-5.

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Rollercoaster

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In the second Berrettini is immediately below a 15, he still seems a bit subdued but with courage, at 40-30, he keeps the service with a good play. In the meantime, Garin is back in confidence even on the serve and with three aces he earns the 1-1. Berretto persists in the mistake, offering two more break points to his rival. A forehand error condemns him and the other leaps to 2-1. Matteo is dejected, he continues to send balls into the net under the worried gaze of coach Santopadre. He tries to shake himself, he has the ball for the counterbreak but, alas, he doesn’t exploit it. Argue with the referee for a challenge in his opinion wrong but is still 3-1 below. In the sixth game the Italian number 1 has three chances for 3-3, he manages to waste two but ends with a nice straight winner. Berrettini’s confidence rises, Garin’s goes down, who in the eighth game, with a double fault and two free, offers our service and Berrettini goes to serve at 5-3. With a partial of 20 points to 5 Matteo brings home the second set 6-3.

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The epilogue

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All to be redone. With Berrettini starting with confidence and with three consecutive points, he immediately had the opportunity to shoot forward. Five times Garin gives him the break point and the fifth time Matteo takes advantage of it. But since tennis is the devil’s sport, Beelzebub climbs on the back of ours which in turn grants Garin the chance to return. The Chilean does not accept the invitation and the Roman extends 2-0 then 3-0 with a double break and finally 4-0. Psychologically Garin collapses and loses his service again. Berrettini goes to serve for the match at 5-0 and does not extend the rival’s suffering beyond closing with the bagel.

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