Cameron Norrie reveals what Matteo Berrettini did which surprised him during defeat at the Australian Open

Follow us on Google Discover

Cameron Norrie reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2024, and was looking to get off to a strong start this time around.

29-year-old Norrie, was handed a tough draw at this year’s Australian Open as he faced off against former semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini in the first round.

Berrettini enjoyed a stellar comeback year in 2024, having fallen out of the world’s top 100 as he struggled with injuries in 2023.

The 28-year-old won three ATP titles in 2024, and Berrettini helped Italy win the Davis Cup alongside world number one Jannik Sinner.

A tough match-up on paper proved to be just that, as after Norrie took the first set, Berrettini powered through to win in four, booking his place in the second round.

After the match, ATP number 52 Norrie, revealed what surprised him about Berrettini during their match.

Cameron Norrie says Matteo Berrettini’s backhand surprised him during their Australian Open match

Speaking after his 7-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 defeat at the Australian Open, Norrie was full of praise for his Italian rival.

“I think he passed extremely well on the backhand side today,” said Norrie.

“That surprised me a little bit, yeah, he’s got a complete game.”

The South African-born star was also complimentary of Berrettini’s serve, which was excellent in their first-round match.

“I think his serve is unbelievable, it’s very, very accurate,” he said.

“I think he has all the spots, especially the second serve is very good, as well.

“Yeah, it’s a very big, big serve, I think he’s very good at getting a forehand after he hits the first serve.

“I think it’s more just the serve is very good, but also the first ball, especially on the forehand side, very accurate with the forehand.”

Norrie then predicted how far Berrettini could go at this year’s Australian Open.

“I think he can go really deep in the draw,” he said.

“He’s a really good guy, one of my better friends on the tour.

“I’m really happy that he’s playing this level, he was very solid today.

“Yeah, it was too good and too complete of a performance for me.”

Who will Matteo Berrettini play next at the Australian Open?

The last time Berrettini reached the second round in Melbourne, he went on to reach the last four, when he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in 2022.

He’ll hope to repeat that success this time around, but will face a few tough tests along the way.

Second round – Holger Rune

Berrettini will play Danish youngster Holger Rune in the second round of the Australian Open after the 21-year-old battled past China’s Zhang Zhizhen in five sets.

• World number 13
• Previous best – 4R (2023 Australian Open)
• Won his last four previous meetings with Berrettini (4-1 head-to-head)

Third round – Hubert Hurkacz

If Berrettini can find a way past Rune, he’d face off against either Miomir Kecmanovic or Hubert Hurkacz in the next round.

As the higher seed, Hurkacz looks the likely opponent and would provide a tough test for the Italian number four.

• World number 17
• Previous best – QF (2024 Australian Open)
• Lost his last two previous meetings with Berrettini (1-2 head-to-head)

Fourth round – Jannik Sinner

Berrettini’s reward for taking down two seeds in succession would most likely be a meeting with fellow Italian, Sinner.

The odds would surely be stacked against the former Wimbledon finalist as he looks to reach his first Slam quarter-final since returning from injury.

• World number 1
• Previous best – W (2024 Australian Open)
• Won his last two previous meetings with Berrettini (2-0 head-to-head)

Quarter-final – Alex de Minaur

If he were to reach his second semi-final down under, he would not only have to beat Rune, Hurkacz, and Sinner, but also would likely face a test against home favorite Alex de Minaur.

• World number 8
• Previous best – 4R (2022, 2023, 2024 Australian Open)
• Won his only hard-court meeting with Berrettini (1-2 head-to-head)

Only time will tell how far Berrettini will go at this year’s tournament, but if he can continue with the form he showed against Norrie, then perhaps a second semi-final in Melbourne may not be that unrealistic after all.

Berrettini will play Rune in the Australian Open second round on Thursday, January 16.