KITZBÜHEL/WASHINGTON, July 27, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
For the second time in a week, Matteo Berrettini has lifted a champion’s trophy proudly over his head.
After capturing the EFG Swiss Open in Gstaad, Switzerland last Sunday, the 28-year-old Italian from Rome mastered the draw in the Austrian Alps this week to win the ATP 250 Open title in Kitzbühel Saturday afternoon. With it came the presentation of the distinctive trophy that symbolizes a chamois, the iconic animal of Kitzbühel.
The 50th-ranked Berrettini can be forgiven if he’s a bit tired after winning his 10th straight match on red clay – and lifting back-to-back heavy trophies. However, Berrettini is certainly happy after defeating No. 91 Hugo Gaston of France, 7-5, 6-3, in an hour and 21 minutes on Centre Court at Kitzbühel Tennis Club for his 21st victory of the season, including 15 on clay.
Berrettini is SO back 💪
The moment @MattBerrettini got a 7-5 6-3 victory over Gaston 👏#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/L7v6tYAoFn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 27, 2024
“I’m just so happy and so tired,” Berrettini said during his on-court interview after earning his 10th career ATP Tour singles title and third of the season following earlier successes on clay at Marrakech and Gstaad. “Thank you, guys, for the support. It was unbelievable. It’s been a crazy two weeks, playing – I think – one of my best levels of tennis. Thanks to you, my team and my family back home. Congrats to Hugo and his great week. He played really well today. It was a tough match. I wish him good luck.”
At 5-all in the 42-minute opening set, Berrettini broke Gaston and consolidated it to go ahead. Later, Berrettini broke the 23-year-old Frenchman in back-to-back service games to take a commanding 5-2 lead in the second set. Although Gaston got one of the breaks back in the next game, Berrettini wasted little time in closing out his title victory on his first match point opportunity.
Advantage, @MattBerrettini 🔨
Berrettini takes the opener 7-5 v. Gaston!#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/lcaR1FjPz0
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 27, 2024
Berrettini hit eight aces and 25 overall winners. He converted all four of his break-point chances and outpointed Gaston 66-50.
“I was happy I had the double break because in tennis you never know,” Berrettini said. “With a little bit of tension, [Hugo] played a great game. I stayed focused, doing what I was doing well – hitting the ball well – playing aggressively, and I got the win.”
Berrettini, who became the third Italian after Adriano Panatta in 1975 and Paolo Lorenzi in 2016 to win then Kitzbühel title, will head for the North American hard-court season on a 10-match winning streak after garnering consecutive titles in Gstaad and Kitzbühel, which will boast his ranking next week to No. 40 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He’s won his last 20 sets played while improving to 10-6 in tour-level finals (6-3 on clay).
File under: Berrettini wholesome moments ☺️📂@MattBerrettini | #GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/gZyWwhU21x
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 27, 2024
In their debut as a team, Erler and Mies win doubles title
No. 6 seeds Alexander Erler of Austria and Andreas Mies of Germany won the Generali Open doubles title with a 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 victory over No. 5 seeds Constantin Frantzen and Hendrik Jebens of Germany.
Constantin Frantzen, Hendrik Jebens, Alexander Erler, Andreas Mies (photo: Brigitte Urban)
The title triumph capped a remarkable debut week for the Austrian/German duo. Each of their four wins were decided by match tie-breaks.
Erler and Mies won the 76-minute title match by combining for three aces, winning 76 percent of their first-serve points and outpointed their opponents 63-57.
Previously, Erler won the Kitzbühel title in 2021 and 2023 with his fellow Austrian and usual partner, Lucas Miedler, who pulled out of this year’s event due to calf injury.
By the numbers
Matteo Berrettini is now 15-1 on clay this season. He’s the third player to win three titles this year following Jannik Sinner (4) and Carlos Alcaraz (3).
“Quotable …”
“Matteo, congrats. You played such a nice level today and all week. Congrats to you and your team and good luck the rest of the season.”
— Hugo Gaston of France, from his trophy presentation speech.
