KITZBÜHEL/WASHINGTON, July 24, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
Italy’s Matteo Berrettini continues to blaze a trail on red clay in the Alps. He’s healthy, he’s feeling good and – watch out – he’s playing great.
On Wednesday at the ATP 250 Generali Open in Kitzbühel, Austria, Berrettini extended his winning streak to seven after upsetting No. 2 seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), in one hour and 48 minutes on Centre Court of the Kitzbühel Tennis Club. He fired 15 aces and hit 31 overall winners. Berrettini outpointed Tabilo 79-77.
Ascending in Austria ⚒️@MattBerrettini adds to his winning streak with a 7-6(4) 7-6(5) win over Tabilo to reach the QF!#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/naw3DhOuye
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 24, 2024
Wednesday’s victory improved the 50th-ranked Berrettini’s win-loss record this season to 18-5 and it was his second career victory over No. 21 Tabilo. He began his current winning streak last week at the EFG Swiss Open in Gstaad, Switzerland, also on red clay, which he won for his second title of 2024.
“Definitely a tough match. He’s having a great season. He’s playing good; he’s got a lot of confidence, a tricky lefty so for sure he likes to play in these conditions,” Berrettini said in praise of Tabilo during his on-court interview. “But I was confident with my level. I think I was serving really well apart from when I served for the match.
“But it can happen, it’s tennis and really, I’m happy how I held my nerves and again two tie-breaks. So, it means that I was pretty focused and I think I did the right things in the right moments.”
Keeping the run going 👏@MattBerrettini takes out 2nd seed Tabilo 7-6 7-6 to reach the Kitzbuhel quarter-final#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/KtJQGcMQhy
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 24, 2024
Next, Berrettini will play 143rd-ranked American wild card Nicolas Moreno De Alboran, who defeated 289th-ranked wild card Lukas Neumayer of Austria, 6-4, 6-4, in the quarterfinal round. It’s the second time the Italian has been a quarterfinalist at Kitzbühel following his 2018 run.
“Having the chance to just play, feeling good, feeling healthy, fighting for matches is just what I wanted for so many months,” Berrettini added. “So, I’m enjoying it and I’m really looking forward for my next match.”
Around the Generali Open
Defending champion and No. 1 seed Sebastian Baez began his title defense with a strong performance in his 6-3, 6-3 victory over fellow Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante, 6-3, 6-3. The 18th-ranked Baez saved all nine break points he faced from No. 121 Tirante and outpointed him 65-54 during their one-hour, 22-minute match on Centre Court. Next, Baez will face No. 91 Hugo Gaston of France, who upset No. 51 Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain, 6-2, 7-6 (5), in an hour and 34 minutes.
No. 116 Yannick Hanfmann of Germany, a 2020 Kitzbühel finalist, defeated 155th-ranked Brazilian lucky loser Gustavo Heide, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. Next, Hanfmann will play No. 72 Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil, who upset No. 8 seed Laslo Djere of Serbia, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. It was Seyboth Wild’s first win over No. 57 Deere in four career meetings.
Also, No. 4 seed Pedro Martinez of Spain, ranked 45th, advanced over No. 80 Sumit Nagal of India, 7-5, 7-5. Next, Martinez will oppose No. 77 Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina, a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 winner over 137th-ranked qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia.
Wednesday’s Generali Open results
Thursday’s Generali Open order of play
By the numbers
Sebastian Baez is the No. 1 seed at an ATP Tour event for the first time in his career. He’s 21-2 against players ranked outside the Top 50 on clay this year with his only losses coming against No. 136 Luciano Darderi at Cordoba and No. 106 Federico Coria at Buenos Aires in February. He is 16-0 since the Coria loss.
“Quotable …”
“I’m happy to be here again. I feel so comfortable in this place, not just for the court or the club, but also for the people and the grounds. They make me feel confident.”
— Defending champion and top seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina, during his on-court interview after winning his second-round match on Wednesday.
