By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, January 13, 2025
Photo credit: Graham Denholm/Getty
Matteo Berrettini showcased remarkable muscle memory upon his return to Melbourne.
Berrettini unleashed an astounding 32 aces during his commanding 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Cameron Norrie at KIA Arena.
This performance was not just vintage Berrettini; it surpassed expectations, according to the player himself.
Having reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2022, Berrettini expressed that he has become a technically superior player now compared to three years prior, although he admits that his confidence was notably higher back then.
“At that time, I was filled with confidence, but looking at some highlights, I don’t believe my strokes were better,” Berrettini reflected. “I might have played better due to my sharper focus and familiarity with matches of this caliber. However, I genuinely feel I’m playing at a high level now.”
“Today, I delivered a good performance. My backhand and return game have improved since three years ago. Fortunately, there’s still room for growth, and it comes down to time, matches, and seizing opportunities to compete against the world’s best players.”
The 28-year-old will next face 13th seed Holger Rune for a chance to advance to the third round.
Rune fought hard in a match against China’s Zhizhen Zhang to secure his spot.
“Yes, I’m up against Holger next. We’ve played a couple of times last year, and I caught the last few points of his match,” shared Berrettini. “He’s an exceptional player. We’ve yet to meet in a Grand Slam setting, so it will be a different experience. Nonetheless, I know it’ll be a tough contest. But I’m feeling good and confident after today’s match. Ready for the challenge ahead!”