Denis Shapovalov’s win over Gael Monfils in Paris Bercy quarter final means that Italian player Matteo Berrettini is the eighth qualifier for the Nitto ATP Finals to be held from 10th to 17th November 2019 at the O2 Arena in London. Monfils needed to reach the semifinal to qualify for the ATP Finals.
Berrettini has become the first italian qualifier for the season-ending event since Corrado Barazzutti in 1978, when it was contested in New York. Berrettini, who was ranked world number 57 last March, has moved up to a career-high number 9. He won more than 40 matches for the first time in his career and lifted two titles in Budapest and Stuttgart, reached the final in Munich and the ATP Challenger in Phoenix. At Grand Slam level The 23-year-old player reached the semifinal at the US Open and the fourth round at Wimbledon. He became the second Italian male player to reach the semifinal at the US Open and the fourth to advance to the last four at Grand Slam level after Corrado Barazzutti, Adriano Panatta and Marco Cecchinato.
Berrettini joins a star-studded fiels which features Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Danil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev.
“I would have never thought I could qualify a couple of months ago. I am just so happy to be among the top 8 in London. It is a great satisfaction and the reward for the superb work that my team, my family and of course myself have put in place this whole year. Now we prepare for the final show ! I will be ready”, said Berrettini.
