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Berrettini Australian Open 2021

Expert uncovers key to “marked improvement” in Matteo Berrettini form


Matteo Berrettini has long promised to put together a run of form that would see him leap into the higher echelons of the world’s top 10 and now Tennishead’s resident stats expert believes he’s found the answer

“Matteo Berrettini is in the best clay court form of his life. Two weeks ago he won the Belgrade Open and this week he is into the final of the 2021 Madrid Open, his first Masters 1000 final. The key to his recent clay-court success is a big first serve and improved return game.

“In Belgrade and Madrid Berrettini has won a hugely impressive 82% of first serve points, which is 7% more than he has previously managed on clay. He is also slightly better on his second delivery. He has won 56% of second serve points over the last two weeks, which is a 2% increase. Berrettini is known for his big serve, which makes his marked improvement on return even more impressive. In Belgrade and Madrid Berrettini has won 42% of return points, which is 5% more than the 37% he has managed previously on clay. The altitude in Madrid and conditions in Belgrade clearly suit Berretini’s style of play. He has been able to use his powerful serve and aggressive return game to great effect.

Berrettini impressive form on clay“Matteo Berrettini will be looking to take his impressive clay-court form into Rome next week, where he made the quarter-finals last year. The way he is currently playing, overcoming him will be a tough task for even the best clay court players. He is a prime example of how a big server with powerful groundstrokes can be successful on clay.”

Luka Elliott has a B Com in Economics & Statistics from the University of Cape Town where his thesis was titled “Engineering Features for Tennis Match Outcome Prediction in a Statistical Learning Framework”. He now writes for Tennishead focussing on how statistics effect the outcome of ATP matches


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.