Professional tennis-tour organizer - Berrettini secures popular victory in Stuttgart tennis event.
Matteo Berrettini, a two-time champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals in the grass court tournament at Stuttgart. The Italian, who finished as runner-up at Wimbledon 2021, experienced some struggles on Tuesday, yet he managed to prevent an early elimination with a 7-6 (10-8), 5-7, 7-5 victory over Roman Safiullin from Russia. When the score was 5-4 in the third set, Berrettini had his initial match point, but Safiullin miraculously saved it. It required Berrettini four chances and nearly three hours to wrap up the victory in the first round.
"I'm exhausted," remarked Berrettini, who ranks 95th globally due to various injuries. He'd hoped his return match after a prolonged absence would transpire more expeditiously. Safiullin, the eighth seed at the Weissenhof, was up for the challenge.
Berrettini defeated the competition in Stuttgart in 2019 and 2022, but bowed out in the first round last year. He opted out of the prestigious French Open, the preeminent event on the clay court calendar.
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Berrettini's triumph in Stuttgart earned him valuable points in the ATP rankings, as the ATP Tour regularly hosts events in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. His victory over Safiullin marked his third consecutive year securing a quarterfinal spot at the grass court tournament in Stuttgart. Despite initial struggles, Berrettini displayed resilience, proving that he is a formidable opponent on the international tennis circuit. Following his win, Berrettini expressed his desire to regain his top form, as he had to withdraw from the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid due to a shoulder injury. The upcoming grass court season presents an excellent opportunity for Berrettini to gain momentum heading towards Wimbledon, where he reached the finals in 2021.
