Novak Djokovic highlights ‘red-hot’ Matteo Berrettini’s ‘big weapons’ ahead of Wimbledon final
A huge serve and a big forehand are just some of the weapons that Matteo Berrettini has in his arsenal ahead of the Wimbledon final, according to Novak Djokovic.
Berrettini will take on the world No 1 in his maiden Grand Slam final on Sunday after beating Hurbert Hurkacz in four sets on Friday.
Djokovic is the favourite, but the Italian is the form player on grass as he won the cinch Championship at Queen’s Club ahead of Wimbledon while he also made it into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
2021 Wimbledon men’s final info, form, betting and preview: Novak Djokovic vs Matteo Berrettini
The 19-time major champion, who will be gunning for a sixth Wimbledon trophy on Sunday, heaped praise on the seventh seed and knows Berrettini can trouble him with his serve and forehand.
“He’s one of the best players in the world in the last 12 months I think,” he said. “I mean, he’s had some big wins against Dominic Thiem in Australia, had semi-finals of US Open few years ago. He’s just working his way up.
“With big weapons in serve and forehand, I mean, he can play well, which he has proven, on any surface. Finals of Madrid this year. We played against each other in quarters of Roland Garros, which was a very tight and very tough four-setter.
“Obviously grass favours him even more, favours his game. If he serves big, as he did throughout the entire tournament, it’s tough to break his serve, it’s tough to go into the rhythm, to find a good positioning to return, make him play.
Matteo Berrettini to win the Wimbledon final? Take a punt with Planet Sport Bet.
“But I believe in my return. I think return has served me very well throughout my career. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a lot of those serves back and wait for my chances.
“I will have to also serve myself efficiently as I’ve done today. I think I served very well, especially when I needed a first serve, getting myself out of trouble, I found it.
“It’s finals. It’s really anybody’s game. He’s arguably the guy who has been in the best form on grass courts this year, winning Queen’s. He’s red hot. It’s going to be a great battle.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Olympics‘We are also human,’ says Iga Swiatek after breaking down following exit from singles at Tokyo Olympics
An emotional exit from Tokyo Games for Iga Swiatek.
-
OlympicsThe Novak Djokovic steamroller reaches third round at Olympics as Serbian finds ‘a higher level of tennis’
Novak Djokovic four wins away from Olympic gold.
-
Olympics‘It was a tough match for us,’ says Jamie Murray after losing doubles at Olympics alongside Neal Skupski
No medal for Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski at Tokyo Games.
-
Tennis Top 10Top 10 youngest ATP Tour title winners: Andy Murray celebrating with a kiss and Lleyton Hewitt quitting school
Your top 10 youngest ATP Tour title winners.
-
ATP Tour‘It’s amazing,’ says Carlos Alcaraz as he follows in Rafael Nadal’s footsteps by capturing an ATP title at 18
An ATP Tour title for Carlos Alcaraz at just 18.
-
Olympics‘I’m here for a good time,’ says Naomi Osaka after easing into third round at Tokyo Olympics
Naomi Osaka defeated Viktorija Golubic to reach the last 16.
-
OlympicsKei Nishikori identifies key features behind brilliant win over Andrey Rublev at Olympics
Kei Nishikori off the mark at his home Olympics.
-
Olympics‘I feel definitely a little bit refreshed and happy again,’ says Naomi Osaka after opening win at Olympics
Smooth start for four-time major winner Naomi Osaka.
-
Olympics‘A disappointing day’ for ‘erratic’ Ashleigh Barty as she crashes out of singles at Tokyo Olympics
Ashleigh Barty makes an early exit from Tokyo Olympics.
-
ATP TourHe’s done it! ‘I couldn’t be more proud of myself,’ says Cameron Norrie after winning maiden ATP Tour title
It’s a maiden ATP Tour singles title for Cameron Norrie.