Matteo Berrettini was able to do something for the first time in his career after beating Alexander Zverev at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Berrettini beat an out-of-form Zverev to get his first ever win over a player ranked inside the top two of the ATP rankings.
Not only was this important for himself, but Berrettini also made history for Jannik Sinner, who will return to tennis next month.
Despite getting over the line in the end, Berrettini did not have it all his own way and had to overcome some obstacles to beat Zverev.
Matteo Berrettini explains what he did to beat Alexander Zverev
Berrettini had to come from a set down to beat Zverev, 2-6 6-3 7-5, in two hours and 29 minutes at the first clay court ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year.
The 28-year-old actually led Zverev 5-2 in the deciding set, before the world number two got things back level at 5-5.
After being unable to serve out the match, Berrettini broke straight back and was able to get the match completed two games later.
When speaking to Prakash Amritraj on the Tennis Channel desk, Berrettini revealed that he tried to stick to the game plan and did not let negative thoughts bring him down.
“I forgave myself,” said Berrettini. “In these moments, the easiest thing, the thing that first comes to your mind is like ‘How did you do that? Like you had the chance you could close it out, you missed it’ and then the only thing that’s going to happen if you say to yourself like that you’re going to go down and probably lose the match.
“I just kept doing what I was doing to get there, like being aggressive and fighting, it didn’t matter how, it didn’t matter how I was hitting the ball and if I was doing stupid mistakes, I just kept going.
“That’s why I said I am really proud, because over there you can just say ‘Wow, I’m screwed now’, but I didn’t do that, I didn’t say myself that and that was the key.”
Matteo Berrettini speaks about his relationship with Flavio Cobolli
Berrettini is not the only Italian player who has been having a good week, with Flavio Cobollo winning his first title in Bucharest.
Both Cobolli and 2019 Monte Carlo Masters champion Fabio Fognini were spotted supporting their compatriot Berrettini in his match against Zverev.
This was also mentioned to Berrettini, who suggested that their unity has helped Italy lift the Davis Cup two years in a row.
Berrettini particularly highlighted the closeness of his relationship with Cobolli, who he has grown up playing tennis with.
“Yeah, I think that’s one of the secrets why he have two Davis Cup’s back home, you know,” said Berrettini. “The support… and with Flavio we actually grew up together.
“I don’t know if you saw the video, but he was 10 when I was I think 16 and we were playing the same tournament in Rome. After I won the match he came on court and he was like, ‘I wish he would be my coach’.
“I know him and I used to be coached by the dad, so there are stories that are going back years and this is so nice to see them and train with them, you know to help each other. I think we are lucky to have such great feel good players.”
After beating Zverev, Berrettini now moves onto the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters and awaits the winner of the match between Jiri Lehecka and fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
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