Matteo Berrettini ‘lets the anger out’ to overcome nerves and Lloyd Harris at BNP Paribas Open

He found himself 2-5 down in the second set, but a bit of anger helped Matteo Berrettini to get the better of Lloyd Harris at the BNP Paribas Open.
The sixth seed had never made it past the third round of the Indian Wells event and he must have had his doubts when he suffered a second-set slump, however, he turned things around to secure a 6-4, 7-5 win in one hour and 32 minutes.
Yeah that’s pretty sweet stuff 👏@MattBerrettini #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/9vHXy5PNav
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 15, 2022
The opening set was pretty evenly matched as Berrettini only broke in game nine, but it was a different story in the second set as Harris broke in game four and opened up a 5-2 lead.
After failing to convert to set points in game eight, Harris came out to serve for the set and had another set point. His failure to capitalise saw Berretini break back before the Wimbledon runner-up broke again in game 11.
He then served the match out to love to reach the fourth round for the first time.
“I like the conditions but for some reason, I have never been able to play my best tennis here,” he said. “I am happy with my performance, Lloyd is a tough opponent. It feels really nice to reach the fourth round for the first time. Every year I am improving.”
The Italian continued: “I got a little bit nervous. “I didn’t like how I handled the start of the second set. I let the anger out a little bit, which helped. I found the right balance in order to break him in the important moment and I then had the momentum.”
Berrettini will face Miomir Kecmanovic next after the world No 61 beat Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-3), 7-5.
The winner of that match will face either 20th seed Taylor Fritz or 26th seed Alex de Minaur in the quarter-final after the former defeated qualifier Jaume Munar in three sets and the Australian beat Tommy Paul in straight sets.
Latest
-
French Open
Belinda Bencic fumes at umpire over time violation during defeat to Leylah Fernandez at Roland Garros
It’s Leylah Fernandez v Amanda Anisimova up next at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Why Carlos Alcaraz could be a hybrid of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Annabel Croft says Carlos Alcaraz has taken the best elements of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer to build his game.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘is back’ says John McEnroe as he makes world No 1 ‘very slight’ favourite for Roland Garros title
John McEnroe tipping Novak Djokovic to win the 2022 French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev insists ‘if I can play Wimbledon I will be happy to be there, even without points’
Daniil Medvedev would jump at the chance to play at Wimbledon.
-
Live Tennis
Tennis365’s live scores and results centre: Follow the French Open here
Aaaaand it’s live! Follow the action from Roland Garros…
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios has ‘bigger fish to fry’ after Bernard Tomic challenges him ‘sort this out in the boxing ring’
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic won’t be stepping into a boxing ring any time soon.
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu escapes disqualification after ’embarrassing moment’ left young fan in tears
“I just want to apologise,” says Irina-Camelia Begu.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon to finally ditch the ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ prefixes on its famous honours boards as it modernises
Welcome to 2022 Wimbledon.
-
French Open
French Open day five: Madison Keys gets entangled, France’s wildcard wonder, a close shave for young fan
A review of the latest action from Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Simona Halep ‘recovered and smiling’ again as she reveals she suffered a panic attack at French Open
Simona Halep smiling again after panic attack.