By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, January 13, 2025
Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty
Matteo Berrettini showed great muscle memory on his return to Melbourne.
Berrettini bombed 32 aces in an impressive 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 win at the Australian Open. Cameron Norrie it is AKI Arena.
This wasn’t vintage Berrettini—it was better than that, Berrettini said.
The AO 2022 semi-finalist said he is technically a better player now than he was three years ago, but admits he had more confidence then.
“I think at that point I was feeling really confident, but if you look at some of the highlights and stuff. I don’t think I was playing better in terms of shots,” said Berrettini. “Maybe I was playing better because I was more focused. I’ve been more like playing certain types of matches, but I feel like my level is up there.
“Today I think I played a really good match. My support I think is better than three years ago. My return is better than three years ago. There is still room for improvement, luckily, and it’s just a matter of time, matches and opportunities to play against the best players in the world.”
The 28-year-old Berrettini will play with the 13th seed Holger Rune for a place in the third round.
Rune went the distance beating China Zhizhen Zhang.
“Yes, then Holger. We played several times last year and I saw the last points of the game,” said Berrettini. “Obviously he is a great player. We have never played in a slam. So it’s quite different, but at the same time I know it’s going to be a tough game. But I feel good. I feel safe. I think I played a very good match today. Ready for the next one.”
