Matteo Berrettini has won his first title in almost a year after ousting former world No.1 Andy Murray in the final of the Boss Open on Sunday.
Berrettini, who missed the entire clay swing due to injury, produced some thunderous hitting to prevail 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, over his British rival. Making it the second season in a row he has beaten Murray on the grass after Queen’s last year. In their latest clash, the 26-year-old hit a total of 19 aces and won 72% of his service points. However, towards the end of the marathon match Murray struggled with his movement due to injury.
“It feels unbelievable,” said Berrettini. “Coming back from an injury like that, the first surgery of my life and winning the tournament feels even more special.’
“A few years ago (in Stuttgart) I felt that I played one of the best weeks of my life and this one I think I started so so and played better. It feels great.”
Stuttgart was the first tournament Berrettini had played in since March after being sidelined from the Tour in recent weeks due to surgery on his right hand. Taking on three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, the Italian produced an array of blistering shots during what was a highly competitive opener. Three games into the match, Berrettini broke for a 2-1 lead with the help of two consecutive forehand winners. In pole position, the world No.10 was forced to work hard by saving four break points he faced in the following game. The Italian then had a chance to seal the double break when up 40-0 against the Murray serve but the Brit battled back to stay within contention. Continuing to weather the storm, Berrettini held his nerve to seal the 6-4 lead. Closing the set out with yet another forehand cross-court winner.
Despite being behind, a fired-up and highly animated Murray continued to urge himself on with shouts of ‘come on.’ It was the first ATP Tour final he had played in since Antwerp 2019 and his 70th overall. He was also not afraid to express his frustration after some points.
“What are you trying to do on the ball mate? You’re trying to do so much and it’s unnecessary,” Murray was heard saying on court during the early stages of the second set.
“You’re thinking about the ball coming at 5000 miles an hour through the court and it’s not.”
Locked at 4-4 in the second frame, Berrettini had a series of golden opportunities to break for a chance to serve the match out during a roller-coaster game. Murray kicked the net out of frustration when a backhand of his drifted long and then a second mistake moved him to a 15-40 deficit before he drew level. Berrettini also had a third chance to break but failed to convert. To add to the drama there was a very brief delay between two points due to a medical situation in the crowd.
Murray’s resilience soon paid off as he went on to force the match into a decider. Leading 6-5 he capitalized on an erratic Berrettini service game where he produced a series of costly errors. A double fault handed Murray his first set point of the match which he converted with the help of another mistake from across the court. Prompting him to let out a huge roar of ‘let’s go’ towards his entourage in the crowd.
“It was really tough to digest,” Berrettini said of his mid-match blip. “I felt the momentum in that part of the match and then Andy was able to serve well. To take the chances.’
“Then we went into the third set and I said to myself ‘ok I just had to fight.“
However, Murray’s momentum was short lived when he dropped serve to love at the start of the decider before requesting a medical time out for work on his left groin/hip region. Despite having a second time out later in the set during the middle of a game, it was visible that the Brit could no longer play at the level of intensity he was. Raising concerts over his fitness heading into Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Berrettini sealed victory on his second match point at the expense of a Murray backhand error.
“This is not the way we wanted to finish the match. Oh course he’s (Murray) hurt and I feel sorry for him. He has shown us so many times how to come back and I think I have even learned a little bit from him. What he has achieved in his career for me it is an honour to play against him.” The Italian said in tribute.
During his on-court interview Murray didn’t speak about his new injury. Instead, he said he hopes to return to the German city once again – if he is able to do so.
“There’s been a lot of progress the last few weeks. I’m looking forward to what the future has to hold. I’m feeling a lot better about my game and hopefully my body can hold up a little bit longer so I can play more matches like this,” he commented.
Stuttgart in the ninth ATP title Berrettini has won in his career.
