Last Updated on October 31, 2021
In the Mutua Madrid Open Matteo Berrettini reached his first final in a Masters 1000 and fought until the end, coming close to an extraordinary victory. After having won the first set, the Italian player fell behind while Sascha Zverev improved his performance and won his fourth Masters 1000 and fifteenth tournament, record numbers that are now only missing a Grand Slam title.
Watch the champ seal the match!
🇩🇪 @AlexZverev beat 🇮🇹 Berrettini 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the #MMOPEN final. pic.twitter.com/p7wuN8KZu6
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 9, 2021
Berrettini congratulated his opponent and hinted that he already has his mind on the next tournament, the one that will start today with the Masters 1000 in Rome, the tournament where he defends his home colors.
Disappointment of defeat
The new world number nine made some interesting statements:
“Obviously both me and my team are disappointed with this defeat, but I think Zverev played really well.
I felt I couldn’t play my best tennis and especially from the beginning of the second set I felt I dropped, then the third set was a battle but I don’t regret anything. I really gave it my all, I think I did well even if I didn’t play exceptionally well but I think credit must be given to my opponent.
I’m proud to have reached this final, in the last few months and throughout my career I’ve done well, when I was 18-19 years old I didn’t imagine to reach such results and I worked hard to be here. Now I’m in the final and I’m upset that I lost.
Even for Zverev it was not easy, he came from two intense matches against Nadal and Thiem and also against me he had to fight hard. It’s a good feeling this result and it will be useful for the next tournaments.
This week just passed gave me a lot of confidence and made me realize that I can play at such a high level, all tennis players have to give their best to beat me. Now I have to focus on the next tournaments, now Rome starts.
The win in Belgrade gives me confidence but now my main goals are the Masters 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments, I’m in the Top Ten and now I always think about fighting to win these tournaments.”
