Matching Report
Berrettini defeats Van de Zandschulp on Day 1 in Tokyo
The Italian advances to the second division, Navone demolishes Darderi
September 25, 2024
YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images
Matteo Berrettini advances to the second round in Tokyo
By ATP staff
Can Matteo Berrettini become just the second player in 2024 to win four or more ATP Tour titles this week at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships?
The Italian got off to an impressive start in Tokyo on Wednesday, beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4 behind closed doors to advance to the second round.
“When I saw that I had to play a qualifying match, I knew it was going to be difficult,” said Berrettini after his victory in one hour and 30 minutes. “I think the center court is slow, so I don’t mind it, I could use a little more spin. The serve was good today, I think [the court] it’s worth my game and hopefully I’ll have a good run.”
Fresh off a statement that upset Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, the Dutchman made a tricky move, but Berrettini was able to snuff out any threat. The Italian, who is No. 45 in the PIF ATP Rankings, hit 22 winners according to Infosys ATP Stats en route to the hard-fought victory.
Berrettini says Arigatō 🙌@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/c9jf2KElzN
– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 25, 2024
At the ATP 500 event in Tokyo, the 28-year-old was able to showcase his brutal tennis, extending his 2024 record against low-ranked players to 15-0 and his Lexus ATP Head2Head streak to 4 -0 over the van. de Zandschulp.
The former World No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings joins Jannik Sinner (6) and Alcaraz (3) as men who have won three or more ATP Tour titles in 2024, lifting trophies on clay in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel.
Berrettini was knocked out in the second round of the US Open last month by finalist Taylor Fritz but returns to the ATP Tour with the aim of finishing the season on a high, and putting himself among the contenders to go deep in his debut in Tokyo. .
In the second round, he could face the American in his second straight tournament if the No. 1 with Fritz getting past #NextGenATP star Arthur Fils in his opening match on Thursday.
In the first match of the day, Mariano Navone defeated Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-4 to record his second Tour-level victory on hard courts, with the other 15 coming on his favorite clay. The Argentine won 75 percent of his first points and saved eight of nine break points (89 percent) en route to a well-earned victory.
