PARIS:
Matteo Berrettini stated he lastly seems like he can compete at a excessive degree once more after beating Francisco Comesana on the French Open to achieve the fourth spherical of a Grand Slam for simply the second time since 2022.
Berrettini, a former world quantity six, has struggled with health points and missed eight of the 18 Grand Slams since his runner-up end to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 5 years in the past.
On Saturday, the Italian prevailed in a gruelling five-hour battle with Argentina’s Comesana, successful 7-6(3) 5-7 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(15-13).
“I do know what it takes to go deep in a slam, however on the similar time, it is also true that I have never been deep in a slam for a very long time,” Berrettini advised reporters after his win.
“Coming into the event, I did not have the arrogance, like I had a few years in the past, however on the similar time, I really feel like I’ve constructed this confidence up.
“I am within the fourth spherical, second week of Paris, implies that I can go deep. I am enjoying effectively. At this time was, I feel, a high-level match. My weapons are working, bodily I am there, and fingers crossed.”
After the match, Berrettini seemed to be holding again tears as he waved to the gang at Court docket Simonne Mathieu.
“I doubted about myself a little bit bit an excessive amount of, I feel, within the final months and years,” the 30-year-old stated.
“Though I had unbelievable assist from my household, from my pals, from my group, and all people stored telling me that I nonetheless had it in me. Typically I simply should confess that I assumed that I could not come again, I could not really feel good on court docket once more.
“That is why I used to be emotional, as a result of I proved to myself yet one more time that I can do that, I can do it effectively, I can struggle, I can take pleasure in my time on court docket.”
Berrettini subsequent faces one other Argentinian in Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who beat world primary Jannik Sinner within the second spherical.
