By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 5, 2024
Matteo Berrettini took out compatriot Lorenzo Sonego to reach his first ATP semifinal in 18 months.
Photo Source: Getty
Early in the second set, commentator Nick Lester couldn’t help but gush over the fantastic serving performance that Matteo Berrettini was putting forth during his quarterfinal against Lorenzo Sonego on Friday at Marrakech.
“It’s absolutely mindblowing, how well he is serving today,” said Lester.
Berrettini saved the only break point he faced, dropped just 16 points on serve, and took out fourth-seeded Sonego, 6-3, 7-6(5) to reach his first ATP semifinal since October of 2022.
“We know each other really well, since we were kids,” Berrettini told the crowd after his win. “I think we were eight or nine, we have been doing this career together, actually, and we also share a coach, so it’s always tough to play against [Lorenzo] but I think every time we give our best.
Today the conditions were really difficult, it was tough to return and the ball was flying a lot.”
107-ranked Berrettini will face Mariano Navone on Saturday at Marrakech.
The 27-year-old continues his comeback from an ankle injury, which ended his 2023 season just after the US Open, and improves to 3-1 on the season. He is into his 19th tour-level semifinal and recorded his 50th career clay-court victory (50-20), to become the fourth active Italian man with that many wins on clay.
Earlier on Friday Pavel Kotov eased past Fabio Fognini, 6-1, 6-2 to set a semifinal with Roberto Carballes Baena. The Spaniard edged Nicolas Noreno De Alboran 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.