Spanish player Roberto Carballes Baena came back from one set down to beat last year’s Wimbledon finalist Matteo B-errettini 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 after 3 hours and 19 minutes at the UniCredit Open in Florence.
Berrettini broke serve in the seventh game to take a 5-3 lead. Carballes Baena saved three break points before breaking back at deuce in the 10th game to draw level to draw level to 5-5. Berrettini broke in the 11th game to edge Carballes Baena 7-5 in a thrilling set in 75 minutes.
Carballes Baena went down a break in the first game of the second set, but he fought back by winning four games to take a 4-2 lead. Berrettini pulled back the break to set up a tie-break. Carballes Baena came back from 2-4 down to win the tie-break 7-5 forcing the match to the decisive set.
Berrettini went up a break in the sixth game to take a 5-2 lead.
Carballes Baena won five consecutive games from 2-5 down in the third set to win the third set 7-5.
The world number 80 player has reached his 15th ATP Tour quarter final, but his first on a surface other than clay.
“I am happy. It’s a very good win for me, the best of my career. I just tried to win every point and return the serve, because he serve very well. I am very happy because I am in the next rouud”, said Carballes Baena.
Carballes Baena will take on Mikael Ymer, who edged past Aslan Karatsev 6-1 6-7 (6-8) 6-1.
J.J Wolf won 81% of points at the net in his 6-3 6-4 win over Maxime Cressy in 81 minutes.
Mackenzie McDonald upset Jenson Brooksby 6-4 4-6 6-1. McDonald scored his first win in his three head-to-head matches. He set up a second round match against Italian Next Gen player Francesco Passaro.
