Matteo Berrettini has a negative record at the Masters 1000 series. The Italian fought for the Madrid Masters crown in 2021, and it was his last notable result at this level. Now, Matteo has changed that at the Miami Open!
The Italian will compete in his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in nearly four years following a 6-3, 7-6 victory over the tenth seed Alex de Minaur in two hours. Thus, Berrettini has been on his best roll at a hard-court Masters 1000 event since Shanghai in 2019!
Matteo claimed only four points more than Alex. The 29th seed played better behind the first serve, and his rival erased the deficit on the second. It all came down to those crucial points, and the Italian played them more efficiently.
E allora BUONGIORNO ITALIA con l’esultanza di Matteo Berrettini 🇮🇹 dopo la pesantissima vittoria di questa notte contro Alex de Minaur 🇦🇺✨pic.twitter.com/srw6wqpzbC
— Giovanni Pelazzo (@giovannipelazzo) March 26, 2025
Berrettini denied seven of nine break points and clinched three breaks from seven opportunities. De Minaur had a massive chance to force a decider. He wasted three set points at 5-4 in the second set and had three more at 6-3 in the tie break.
Matteo stayed focused and denied them, missing a chance to seal the deal on his serve in the 12th game before prevailing in a tight tie break. The opening set was fast and fluid. Berrettini made a flying start and clinched a break in the second game of the duel.
Matteo Berrettini, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
De Minaur missed a routine volley at the net to find himself behind after only a couple of minutes. The Italian cemented the break in game three and drew the rival’s mistake two games later for a 4-1 advantage.
The former Major finalist provided another fine hold in game seven with a winner at the net and served for the opener at 5-3. Matteo netted a routine backhand and offered his rival two break chances. He denied them and wrapped up the first part of the duel with an ace for 6-3 in 35 minutes.
Alex missed a game point at the beginning of the second set and offered his rival three break points. Berrettini converted the last after a crafty lob and a smash winner, moving a set and a break in front. The Aussie bounced back in the fourth game.
Alex de Minaur, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He welcomed the rival’s forehand error to pull the break back and return to the positive side. They served well in the next five games, and the 10th seed moved 5-4 in front with a forehand winner. He made push on the return in the next one and created three set points.
Matteo denied them with fine attacks and brought the game home for 5-5. The Italian broke in the 11th game and served for the win at 6-5. Alex saved two match points and generated two break chances. The Italian saved them and created his third match point.
Matteo Berrettini, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He missed a forehand and got broken two points later after a forced backhand error. Thus, de Minaur reached a tie break and gained a boost. The 10th seed landed a volley winner in the ninth point for 6-3 and three match points.
Matteo saved two with winners and denied the third after the rival’s forehand error. Berrettini squandered his fourth match point before seizing the fifth after de Minaur’s wayward backhand, achieving his best Masters 1000 result in almost four years.
Tennis World USA