Italy’s Matteo Berrettini put on a masterclass performance to beat Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets.
Across some media outlets before the match, there was concern that previous abdominal and other injury issues may catch up with the seventh seed.
As well as the physical effects of the long five-set tussle with young star Carlos Alcaraz in the previous round, dubbed Matteo’s Escape from Alcaraz.
Berrettini swatted aside such doubts to outlast the Spaniard 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in two hours and 22 minutes, to set up a mouth-watering quarter final against Gael Monfils.
The 35-year-old Frenchman is yet to drop a set. The two played out a five-set classic back in 2019, in the US Open quarter finals, where the Italian edged it.
Against Carreno Busta, however, the first set was nip and tuck with both players holding strong on serve.
In the first ever meeting between the pair, the Rod Laver Arena crowd knew they were in for a treat, as Berrettini nailed a fine passing shot down the line at two games all, 30-0 down.
And this was Berrettini’s hallmark throughout the match, fighting for every point against the Carreno Busta serve.
The 25-year-old Italian pounced at five games all, converting the first of two break points, and served out the set with some thunderous tennis, 7-5.
Carreno Busta had to play some clutch tennis in the second set, holding serve all the way through just to stave off the 6 ft 6 giant that is Berrettini.
It went to a tie-breaker where five successive points from the Italian’s racquet threw up four set points.
The 19th seed and two-time US Open semi-finalist saved two of them, with a monster forehand for the first.
But Berrettini was serving bombs, and Carreno Busta was powerless to return, and the Italian gladiator let out a roar as he stole the second set.
The third set was equally as impressive from Berrettini, who must surely be considered a serious title contender to match Daniil Medvedev, on this performance.
Carreno Busta was doing everything at the beginning of the third set just to keep in touch with the Italian.
At 2-1 up, Berrettini sensed an opening and nearly had the Spaniard, with four deuces, but Carreno Busta just about held on.
Out of nowhere, the end was nigh at 5-4 to the Italian, as Berrettini battled back from 15-40 down to deuce, and Carreno Busta completely capitulated, handing his opponent match point.
The seventh seed made no mistake and sealed an impressive straight sets victory, and with it a first quarter final in Australia.
