The fairytale run of Jacopo Berrettini at the Mexican Open continues after the underdog registered his first main draw win on the ATP Tour.
The 24-year-old Italian only managed to gain entry into the ATP 500 event with the help of a wildcard for the qualifying draw. Initially, Berrettini was on the verge of crashing out in his first match after losing his opening set to love against France’s Geoffrey Blancaneaux in qualifying before fighting back to win 0-6, 6-4, 6-4. Then in the final qualifying round, he defeated compatriot Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4. Both Blancaneaux and Darderi are currently ranked more than 600 places higher than him.
“I came here with not good vibes,” Berrettini told atptour.com earlier this week. “But I was trying from the first match to fight a lot and I think I did it. My team, my family helped me a lot. For me it’s really important to have them here.”
Taking to the court once again on Tuesday to play in the main draw of an ATP event for the first time, Berrettini took on Germany’s Oscar Otte who is currently ranked 78th in the world. In what was a closely contested match, Otte was forced to retire with a knee injury whilst down 3-6, 7-6(3), 2-1, to the Italian.
Berrettini has been ranked as high as 388th in the world but is currently outside the top 800. So far in his career, he has only won two singles titles which was on the ITF Circuit back in 2018. According to the live ATP Pepperstone rankings, he is set to rise more than 300 places in the rankings as a result of reaching the last 16 in Acapulco.
Awaiting the underdog in the next round will be eighth seed Alex de Minaur who eased his way past local player Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez 6-1, 6-2.
“I’ve been watching him this tournament. He’s been playing some great tennis, obviously played way above his ranking,” De Minaur said of World No. 842 Berrettini. “He’s going to be confident, he’s going to be a very tough match and I’m ready for a battle.”
There was also success for the other Berrettini brother. Matteo was leading Alex Molcan 6-0, 1-0, before the Slovakian was forced to retire. He will next play Sweden’s Elias Ymer.
“Without him [none of this] would be possible,” Jacopo said of Matteo. “Not just for the [qualifying] wild card but for everything. He is my inspiration, he’s really a true champion and really a very good person. For me he’s the most important person in my life. I really want to say thanks to him. It’s really nice to have him here and in general in my life.”
The Berrettini brothers have also joined forces to play in the doubles tournament but they lost in the first round in straight sets to France’s Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul.
