By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday April 2, 2024
Oft-injured Matteo Berrettini got his first win of 2024 at Marrakech on Tuesday.
Photo Source: Getty
Matteo Berrettini continues to work his way back into form.
The Italian earned his first tour-level win since the 2023 US Open on Tuesday at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, 6-2, 6-1 over Alexander Svechenko.
Berrettini, who played the final of the Phoenix Challenger earlier last month (lost to Borges in the final), before falling in the first round at Miami (to Andy Murray) in his first ATP match of the season, dominated from start to finish against the World No.56.
He won 21 of 26 first serve pionts and saved both break points he faced. Berrettini broke the No.6 seed five times from nine opportunities.
Berrettini is playing just his third clay court event since 2021 Roland Garros. The former World No.6 (currently ranked 135) cut his season short last year after picking up an ankle injury at the US Open.
“It’s just great to be back, seven months without playing is a long time,” he said. “I missed it and that’s why I have so much energy now.”
27-year-old Berrettini will face Spain’s Jaume Munar in the second round at Marrakech.
He was asked to comment on Jannik Sinner’s rise and the fine play of Italian men across the board.
“We’ve been texting, and he’s amazing,” Berrettini said of Sinner. “I think he’s pushing us to be better. Before me there was obviously Fabio Fognini, Marco Cecchinato, many players. It’s been years that Italian tennis has been healthy, I would say, and so many young players like Flavio Cobolli, who played before me. So we are in good shape, and it’s going to be tough to play in Davis Cup I guess.”
Wawrinka Delivers a Milestone Win
39-year-old Stan Wawrinka eased past Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 6-4 to become the oldest match winner in Marrakech history. The Swiss legend, who won the tournament in 2010 when it was played in Casablanca, will face Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the second round.
Wawrinka improved to 9-0 lifetime against Ramos Vinolas with the win.
Qualifier David Goffin, the 2022 champion, was also a winner on Tuesday in Morocco (d. Rinderknech), as were Fabio Fognini (d. Gaston) and Flavio Cobolli (d. Shelbayh).
.