Matteo Berrettini follows Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios
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World no. 22 Matteo Berrettini will not compete at the upcoming Madrid Masters. Thus, the Italian joins Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios, other big names who decided to skip the season’s fourth Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital.
Matteo has played in Madrid’s main draw once, reaching the final two years ago and losing to Alexander Zverev in three sets after a massive battle. Berrettini withdrew ahead of the third-round clash with Holger Rune in Monte Carlo, feeling the pain in his obliques and deciding to end his campaign and recover.
The injury-prone Italian is not ready for a comeback in Madrid, hoping for better news ahead of the home Masters 1000 event in Rome. Berrettini missed the clay season 12 months ago and returned on grass, winning two titles before skipping Wimbledon.
Matteo reached the US Open quarter-final and ended his season in October. The Italian is yet to find his form in 2023, winning seven matches and experiencing another setback in Monte Carlo. Matteo scored two wins in the Principality but felt the pain in his obliques during the second-round clash against Francisco Cerundolo.
Berrettini prevailed but did not feel better overnight and left the event. Matteo stayed on the court for over two hours and 40 minutes against Francisco in a 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 triumph. The Italian lost serve three times from four chances offered to his rival in the opening set and pushed the Argentine to the limits on the return.
Matteo Berrettini experienced another setback in Monte Carlo and will skip Madrid.
Cerundolo denied 13 out of 16 break points to remain in touch and give his everything in a tight loss. Matteo made a flying start and paired two breaks of serve with three comfortable holds for a 5-0 advantage.
He served for the set in games seven and nine and got broken two times for a massive setback. Cerundolo fended off a set point on the return at 3-5 and broke back to prolong the action. The Argentine took charge and rattled off seven straight games to steal the opener 7-5!
The returners stood no chance in the second set’s opening 11 games, and Cerundolo served to stay in it at 5-6. He denied four set points to introduce a tie break and boost his chances. However, Berrettini clinched it 7-1 to force a decider and gain momentum.
The Italian made a fresh start in the final set, still serving well and keeping the pressure on the other side. Matteo broke Francisco in game five and moved over the top on his serve in game ten, only to withdraw from the event the following day.
“I do not know where to start. I was finally finding my level and returning to where I wanted to be; this is difficult. I’m sad to announce I can not play today’s match in Monte Carlo. I felt some pain in my obliques during my match yesterday.
The pain became significantly worse overnight. After consulting with my medical team, we decided to have an MRI scan this morning. I have a grade 2 tear in my internal oblique muscle,” Matteo Berrettini said after…
Read More: Matteo Berrettini follows Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios 2023-04-22 06:48:41