Monte-Carlo spectators were today treated to a spectacular match on Court Rainier III as Italian Matteo Berrettini (ranked 34th in the world by ATP this morning) pulled off the biggest win of his career to beat World No. 2 Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev, and advance to Round 3 of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
The exciting two hour and 27-minutes match saw the crowd become quite raucous at times. And even back home, one television viewer – Maureen S. – summed up the emotions of most: “What a match! I’m exhausted and I was only watching! What a high standard they played at. Well done Matteo.”
Matteo started slow with a 2-6 loss in the first set, but went on to win the next two 6-3 followed by a tense 7-5. The encounter included an incredible 48-shot rally (won by a forehand shot from 28-year-old Berrettini).
He explained afterwards that he managed to turn it around at the end to win by changing his attitude. “I had to adapt and adjust to the conditions and Sascha was playing unbelievable, so it was not easy. Then I told myself to be more aggressive and if I am going to lose this match, I am going to do the right things and luckily it worked.”
What a match!
Bravo, Matteo & Sascha 👏#RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/GxtpPtAZiT
— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 8, 2025
Matteo is a bit of a master on clay. He’s won 17 of his past 18 matches on clay, and says: “I grew up on clay, playing on it until 19.” He added: “On Tour we don’t play on it as much but at the same time I have missed the biggest tournament on clay for the past three years and that was tough and now I want to enjoy it. I feel really comfortable on clay.”
Berrettini’s next opponent will be Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka or fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Zverev’s next tournament will be on home soil in Munich. (Although like Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic, he also has a home in Monaco.)
