Matteo Berrettini outlasted Gael Monfils 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 7-6(5) in a four hour battle to reach his first grand slam semi-final.
In a great opportunity for both players, it was the Frenchman who played the better tennis in the first set as he fended off the Italian’s early power.
Playing well from both corners of the court, his defensive work was to be admired as he isolated Berrettini to the back of the court.
After a long sixth game, Monfils’ good work in the first set had its reward as he converted his second break point opportunity for the break.
Although it wasn’t a bad serving set from the Italian, his return game needed work as he failed to threaten the Monfils serve.
Another comfortable hold sealed the opening set for the experienced Frenchman in 33 minutes.
The momentum continued for Monfils in the second set as some powerful play saw an early break in the second set and a chance for a double break lead.
However Berrettini opted to change his tactical approach as he offered more slices and variety in an attempt to salvage the match.
A plan that worked to perfection as he managed to prevent the double break and get back on track in the second set with a break of his own.
More unforced errors started to appear in the 13th seed’s game as he couldn’t control his forehand in the latter stages of the second some.
Some big-hitting saw Berrettini power to another break of serve as he levelled the match up in a bid to reach his first grand slam semi-final.
As the conditions got more humid as the match went on, the more it favoured Berrettini as the Monfils looked mentally and physically tired.
Another couple of powerful winners sealed the early break as he was now the aggressor and dictating the tempo of the match.
After the roof closed at 4-2 to the Italian, he continued where he left the contest as Monfils’ serves were getting more and more conservative.
One more break and a hold of serve sealed the Italian’s control of the match as he was now one set away from the semi-finals.
Despite losing the fourth set, Monfils was determined to overturn the deficit and as per usual he was going to do it with the help of the crowd.
There was no more injection about his shots and his attitude as his positive energy helped him surge towards to a crucial break in the fourth game.
More clutch serving was also the key as Berrettini’s level slightly dropped and the Frenchman pounced to force a deciding match in front of the electric New York crowd.
The fifth set decided with a share of breaks as the match felt like it was on the Italian’s racket as he tried sometimes too hard to outhit Monfils.
Trading breaks 🤙@Gael_Monfils gets back on serve early in the 5th against Berrettini…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/C5wgsNOkvH
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2019
Both men were desperate to land the crucial blow but it was the 33 year-old Frenchman who was too desperate at times and some uncharacteristic net rushing saw him concede the break to love.
Nerves would continue to play apart in this drama-filled contest though as Berrettini could barely serve on match point up and let a 5-2 lead slip within his grasp.
Another two match points had to be saved from the Frenchman as he somehow forced a final set tiebreak in dramatic circumstances.
A disastarous tiebreak filled with double faults and courageous play, which ended with the Italian being the bravest of them all as he edged past Monfils with a big serve.
He can finally breathe!
On his 5th match point, Matteo Berrettini finally closes out Monfils in an absolute epic in Arthur Ashe Stadium!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/IAzTbhZkqL
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2019
One heck of a four hour battle sees Berrettini seal the biggest win of his career and a place in the last four of a grand slam for the first time.
After the match, Berrettini congratulated his opponent as he doesn’t remember much about the contest, “I don’t know. Right now I don’t remember any points, just the match point,” the Italian admitted.
“What a great fight. I would like to congrats to Gael and his team. When I was playing I was thinking that this was one of the best matches I have ever seen. I was playing, but I was watching also. I’m really Happy, I don’t know what to say.”
Next up for Berrettini is either Diego Schwartzman or Rafael Nadal.
