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Matteo Berrettini Roland Garros 2021
ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

‘I know I have a big weapon’, says Matteo Berrettini after downing Alex De Minaur


Matteo Berrettini said he had to play his best tennis to defeat Alex De Minaur in straight sets and reach the final at Queen’s Club.

The top seed and world No. 9 beat the 22-year-old Australian 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament.

The 25-year-old broke the world No. 22 once in each set and did not lose his serve for the third straight match.

“It was the goal of the week [to reach the final], but now I have one more step. Of course, making the finals is a great step, especially for the history of this tournament,” Berrettini said in an on-court interview.

“I’m really happy also because to beat Alex today I had to play my best tennis. The mentality is that I always think that I can win the [service] game.

“The other guys, also Alex today had some great points, but I know I have a big weapon with my serve and my first shot.

“If I sleep too well [before the final], it means that something is off. I have to be nervous, I have to be tight a little bit – otherwise the adrenaline doesn’t kick in.”

Berrettini – who now has a 17-5 grass court record – will face either Denis Shapovalov or Cameron Norrie in Sunday’s final.


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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.