Indian Wells news: Matteo Berrettini upbeat after dodging upset

ATP Tour

James Richardson
March 14, 2022

Matteo Berrettini insists that despite his poor record at the BNP Paribas Open, he loves playing at Indian Wells.

Berrettini feels that his poor record has been down to bad luck when it comes to form and fitness.

His 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 second-round win over committed qualifier Holger Rune means that Berrettini has already matched his best performance at Indian Wells.

“I like the courts, the atmosphere, it’s very nice,” said Berrettini when asked about his less-than-stellar record at Indian Wells. “For one reason or another, I got here half-injured or something always happened.

“I’m pretty old for tennis [25], but I didn’t play this tournament too many times. It takes time and sometimes a little bit of luck. Hopefully, this is going to be the good one.”

He had to struggle to get past Rune, but the Italian is hopeful of going deep at Indian Wells.

Berrettini was grateful for the hit out against Rune, who kept him on court for just over two hours.

“It was definitely a tough match – I expected it,” Berrettini said in his on-court interview. “He’s improving every time I see him. He’s going to have a bright future.

“Today I think I was able to manage the strokes. I’m really happy, because I wasn’t feeling that comfortable in the court.”

On Tuesday, the World No 6 Berrettini will face South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 winner over Facundo Bagnis.

If Berrettini can beat Harris he will have put in his best performance at Indian Wells to date.

The Italian should be eager to get time on the court before the clay court season which will give him an opportunity to shine, but he certainly wouldn’t object to winning a first title of the season during the Sunshine Double.

In January, when he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Berrettini became the first player from Italy ever to make the quarter-finals in each of the four majors. Back in 2021, he was also the first Italian to appear in a Wimbledon men’s singles final.

Matteo Berrettini