GSTAAD/WASHINGTON, July 21, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

Matteo Berrettini earned his first ATP Tour title in Gstaad, Switzerland back in 2018. So, it’s understandable that the summer resort town nestled in the Swiss Alps, which has hosted 56 editions of the EFG Swiss Open, has always been a special place for him to play – rain or shine.

On Sunday afternoon, Berrettini braved a chilly and cloudy 22-degree day that hovered over Roy Emerson Arena for his title match against first-time finalist Quentin Halys of France, which included an interruption for rain.

Too strong after the rain delay @MattBerrettini defeats @QuentinHalys 6:3 6:1 and claims his second #ATPGstaad title 🏆🎾🏆 @federtennis @FFTennis #EFG #ATP250 #ATPTour
📷 Fabian Meierhans pic.twitter.com/OioYEAILCZ

— EFG Swiss Open Gstaad (@SwissOpenGstaad) July 21, 2024

However, by the end of the ATP 250 clay-court final, the 28-year-old Berrettini had won his ninth career ATP Tour title – and his fifth on clay – with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over the 192nd-ranked French qualifier. After securing match point at the conclusion of the 59-minute title match, Berrettini raised his arms in celebration and beamed a smile bright enough to be seen back home in his native Rome, Italy.

The 82nd-ranked Berrettini, who a day earlier took out World No. 12 and top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, will return to the Top 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday for the first time since last August. He’s earned it.

Against Halys, Berrettini won 90 percent of his first-serve points – dropping just three points on his first serve – and he saved all three break-point chances he faced from the 27-year-old Frenchman. Berrettini finished with 22 winners, made just two unforced errors and he outpointed his opponent 54-26.

MB the man mountain in the Swiss Alps 💪🏔

A 6-3 6-1 triumph over Halys lands @MattBerrettini a 9th career title@SwissOpenGstaad | #ATPGstaad pic.twitter.com/051hZaiNkE

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 21, 2024

Berrettini converted four of six break points against Halys. Ahead 5-3 when play resumed after a 30-minute rain delay, the Italian won seven of the next eight games to clinch his second Swiss Open crown. It was his 16th victory of the season.

“It feels unbelievable. It feels like it was yesterday that I won my first title here six years ago, but a lot of matches and a lot of things happened,” Berrettini reflected during his on-court interview before the trophy ceremony. “I’m just so glad that I can keep playing and enjoying, and I think I found the energy of six years ago during this week. This place is special for me. I’m just so happy.”

En route to lifting the trophy, in the shape of a Swiss Alp mountain with a golden tennis ball enclosed in it, the sixth-seeded Berrettini strung together wins over Pedro Cachin of Argentina, Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia, No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, Tsitsipas and Halys. It added up to Berrettini’s second ATP 250 title of the season on clay after winning at Marrakech last April.

“It feels like yesterday that I won my first title here” 🏆@MattBerrettini @SwissOpenGstaad pic.twitter.com/oDEZvR5kRk

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 21, 2024

Meanwhile, Halys, who was playing in his first ATP Tour final, had hoped to become the second qualifier to win the Gstaad title and the lowest ranked champion in tournament history. It wasn’t meant to be, but Halys will leave Switzerland with his ranking boosted up to No. 125.

“It was his first final, so for sure a lot of thoughts you might think in those moments, especially when you stop and you just got broken,” Berrettini said. “At the beginning, I was trying to figure out how to play, because during the week the conditions were really different.

“Every day was different. It was really windy, then it was a bit wet, and today was really cold and drizzling. It took me a little bit. I was able to not get broken from 0-40. I think from then on, I found the right energy. I think when we stopped, I came back on court and found the perfect [rhythm].”

Indeed, Berrettini found his energy this week in the Swiss Alps. Just as important, he’s healthy, again, and playing good tennis, too.

A 9th career title for @MattBerrettini 🏆🔥@SwissOpenGstaad pic.twitter.com/Ejac3faz4N

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 21, 2024