STUTTGART, June 14, 2024
Matteo Berrettini is back in the semi-finals of the BOSS Open. The two-time Stuttgart champion ended the run of Australian qualifier James Duckworth with a 6-4, 7-5 victory in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Berrettini, who lifted the trophy at the Tennis Club Weissenhof in 2019 and 2022, fired 13 aces and won 89 per cent of his first-service points to succeed in one hour and 27 minutes.
Back on form 🇮🇹@MattBerrettini reaches the semi-finals 💪#BOSSOPEN pic.twitter.com/Mq3Olq3dyK
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 14, 2024
“It was a really solid match, especially on my serve. I didn’t give him any break points. The rhythm was very good. On grass it is very important to be aggressive in the right moments. That’s what I was trying to do and it worked out,” said Berrettini after reaching his first semi-final on grass since his triumph at The Queen’s Club in London two years ago.
“My weapons pay off on grass. I am using the slice on the backhand. When I step on the grass, I feel good and want to play for hours. And here I am.”
Will the Rome native have time to follow the start of the European Football Championships?
“I think Germany is playing tonight. Sorry guys, but I am going to watch tomorrow’s match. I love Germany but supporting Germany is a bit too much,” said Berrettini with a smile and will next take on fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who benefited from the retirement of Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan leading 4-6, 6-1, 1-0.
Draper fires past Tiafoe
In the top half of the draw, Jack Draper knocked out defending champion and No. 4 seed Frances Tiafoe from the United States, rallying 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(1) in a rain-interrupted match. The sixth-seeded Briton dominated the encounter by his serve, hammering 31 aces. Draper outpointed his rival 114-99 to prevail after two hours and six minutes.
“I am incredibly happy,” Draper said. “My last three tie-breaks in the third set I have lost them all, so to come through today is amazing and I am really proud of my level. I am really happy with how I served and it was a really high-quality match.”
Struff withdraws
Last year’s finalist and home favourite Jan-Lennard Struff was forced to withdraw from his quarterfinal match against Brandon Nakashima on Friday due to illness. As a result, the US-American advanced to the stage of the last four by walkover.
Struff had shown excellent form at the Tennis Club Weissenhof this year, not dropping a set in his first two rounds against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli and France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
“It’s very unfortunate that Jan-Lennard Struff cannot continue the tournament due to illness. We wish him a speedy recovery and much success for the rest of the season,” said tournament director Edwin Weindorfer.
