Tennis

Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, will face off against Holger Rune at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. This intriguing clash of styles promises to be a captivating spectacle.Berrettini, known for his straightforward approach, relies on his powerful serve and forehand to dominate his opponents. His 92% hold percentage over the past year is a testament to his exceptional serving prowess. Rune, on the other hand, is a player of immense variety, often experimenting with different shots and tactics.Despite Rune's versatility, Berrettini's consistency and experience should give him an edge in this matchup. Berrettini's serve is a formidable weapon, and Rune's low break percentage of 17.9% this season suggests he may struggle to break Berrettini's serve consistently.Furthermore, Berrettini's return game is slightly superior to Rune's, and Rune's holding percentage on hard courts is a modest 82.4%. The quicker conditions in Cincinnati may also limit Rune's ability to exploit his variety, as Berrettini prefers shorter points.Rune's recent record against Top 10 opponents is also a concern. Despite Berrettini's current ranking of No. 42, his 2024 performances have been comparable to his form in 2021 and 2022, when he was ranked as high as No. 6.Overall, Berrettini's consistency, experience, and suitability to the Cincinnati conditions make him the favorite in this matchup. A potential third-round meeting with Carlos Alcaraz would be a fascinating test of Berrettini's credentials as a contender for the 2024 US Open title.

As the 2024 US Open approaches, the tennis world eagerly anticipates the return of the sport's elite. Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jannik Sinner lead the oddsboard, but a closer look reveals a potential dark horse: Matteo Berrettini.Despite his current ranking of 42nd, Berrettini possesses the talent and experience to challenge the top contenders. A semifinalist at both the US Open and Australian Open, he also reached the Wimbledon final in 2021. His impressive 2024 season includes three titles on clay and a Performance Rating of 7.61, comparable to his peak in 2021.Berrettini's exceptional serve and forehand make him a formidable opponent on quick hard courts. His improved backhand further strengthens his game. His recent victories over Lorenzo Musetti, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and a close match against Sinner at Wimbledon demonstrate his current form.While Berrettini's injury history raises concerns, his recent performances suggest he has regained his peak fitness. At 28 years old, he is in the prime of his career. His odds of +4700 offer significant value compared to the top favorites.Betting on Berrettini to win the tournament may be a long shot, but his chances of a deep run are strong. Even if he does not reach the final, his progress through the tournament could provide opportunities for hedging and profit.For those seeking a less risky option, betting on Berrettini to win his quarter is a viable strategy. This would require him to reach the semifinals, a more achievable goal.In conclusion, Matteo Berrettini is a player to watch at the 2024 US Open. His talent, experience, and recent form make him a potential threat to the top contenders. While his odds may be long, his value is undeniable.

Served with Andy Roddick: A Live Episode from CincinnatiIn the latest episode of the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, recorded live from the Cincinnati Open, Roddick welcomed special guests Matteo Berrettini and Bob Moran to discuss the tournament's legacy and the future of tennis.Berrettini, who has won three tour titles in 2024 despite facing injuries, shared his perspective on overcoming setbacks. "I've always considered myself as someone who was good at coming back," he said. He also spoke about the rise of young Italian players like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, expressing pride in their accomplishments.Roddick questioned Berrettini about his experience filming "Break Point," the Netflix series that followed players behind the scenes. Berrettini admitted to being excited about the opportunity but hesitated when asked if he would do it again.Bob Moran, the man responsible for keeping Cincinnati as a tournament site, emphasized the city's passion for sports. He announced an expansion of the draw from 56 to 96 players, increasing the tournament's scale and fan engagement.Roddick praised Cincinnati's unique atmosphere, saying, "The passion I felt in Cincinnati was unmatched anywhere else I went." He highlighted the practice areas as a special aspect of the tournament.The episode concluded with a Q&A session with fans, covering topics such as the future of tennis and potential breakthroughs among players ranked 11 to 30.Tennis analyst Jon Wertheim expressed his interest in the sport's direction, emphasizing the need to maximize its virtues. "Tennis is a wonderful sport," he said. "It's men, it's women, it travels all around the world, it's guys that are 21 and guys that are 37."

Matteo Berrettini has continued his impressive form on clay courts, securing his second Swiss Open title in Gstaad on Sunday. The Italian, seeded sixth, defeated qualifier Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-1 in a dominant display that lasted just under an hour.Berrettini's victory comes a day after he upset top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals. The 26-year-old has now won two clay-court titles in 2024, having previously triumphed in Marrakech in April."It seems like it was yesterday I won my first title here six years ago," Berrettini said after the match. "I'm just so glad that I can keep playing, keep enjoying. I think I found the energy of six years ago during this week. This place is special for me. I'm just so happy."Berrettini's victory was built on a solid serving performance. He saved all three break points he faced and won 26 of 29 points when he made his first serve. The Italian also displayed his trademark power from the baseline, overpowering Halys at the net throughout the contest."During the whole week, the conditions were really different. It was windy, then a little bit more wet," Berrettini said. "Then today, it was really cold and drizzling. It took me a little bit. When we came back on court, I found the perfect focus."Berrettini's victory will see him climb back into the Top 50 of the ATP rankings. The former world No. 6 has now won nine ATP titles in his career and has improved to 16-5 on the season in tour-level contests.Halys, who was contesting his maiden ATP final, put up a valiant effort but was ultimately outclassed by Berrettini. The 27-year-old Frenchman will nevertheless be pleased with his performance this week, which will see him rise to No. 125 in the rankings.

Jannik Sinner's victory over Matteo Berrettini in the second round of Wimbledon highlighted the importance of resilience and composure in tennis. Despite facing challenges, Sinner maintained his focus and executed crucial shots when it mattered most.The match began with two close sets, with Sinner winning both tiebreakers. Berrettini fought back in the third set, but Sinner regained control in the fourth. However, Berrettini threatened to level the match, only for Sinner to regroup and win the tiebreaker.Sinner's return of serve proved decisive, particularly in the first-set tiebreaker. He consistently returned Berrettini's powerful serves deep, forcing errors. Berrettini's groundstrokes also faltered at crucial moments, contributing to his defeat.One key moment occurred in the fourth set when Sinner faced a break point at 5-5. Despite overhitting a forehand earlier, he remained composed and executed a safe winner on the next forehand. This demonstrated his ability to learn from mistakes and maintain focus under pressure.Sinner's victory showcased his mental fortitude and technical prowess. He acknowledged that setbacks are inevitable in tennis, but emphasized the importance of regrouping and reasserting oneself. His performance serves as a reminder that perfection is unattainable, but consistency and resilience are essential for success.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, will face Emma Navarro, a rising star, in a captivating first-round clash at Wimbledon. Osaka, known for her powerful groundstrokes, will be tested by Navarro's versatility and court coverage. The match will hinge on Osaka's ability to control the pace and Navarro's capacity to disrupt her rhythm.In the marquee second-round encounter, Italian rivals Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini will battle for a place in the third round. Sinner, the current world No. 1, has dominated their previous meeting, but Berrettini, a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, will seek redemption on his favored surface. The key to the match will be the return of serve, with both players possessing formidable serves.Another intriguing first-round matchup features veterans Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka. Monfils, known for his acrobatic play, will face Wawrinka, a one-handed backhand specialist. Despite their age and injuries, both players remain capable of producing spectacular performances. The match promises to be a battle of experience and resilience.

In the realm of tennis, the traditional image of the grass-court specialist has long been defined by towering height, a booming serve, and a refined all-around game. However, since the turn of the millennium, a shift has occurred, with versatile all-courters dominating the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon.Over the past 21 editions, Novak Djokovic has emerged as the undisputed king of grass, claiming seven titles. Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal have each triumphed twice, while Lleyton Hewitt and Carlos Alcaraz have also etched their names on the trophy. Even Roger Federer, once the epitome of grass-court brilliance, has adapted his game to the changing conditions.In recent years, one player has emerged as a formidable challenger to the established order: Matteo Berrettini. The 6'5" Italian possesses an arsenal of weapons that make him a formidable force on grass. His monstrous first serve, hissing second serve, crushing forehand, and solid backhand have propelled him to four grass-court titles, including Stuttgart 2019.Berrettini's success on grass is not merely a coincidence. The surface's unique characteristics, with its faster ball speed and lower bounce, amplify his strengths. His powerful serve becomes even more effective, while his ability to control the pace and direction of the ball with his groundstrokes gives him an edge over his opponents.However, despite his impressive record on grass, Berrettini has yet to break through at Wimbledon. In the 2021 final, he pushed Djokovic to the limit before ultimately succumbing in a thrilling five-set encounter. The reason for this may lie in the fact that the grass courts of today are slower and bouncier than in the past, offering a wider range of players opportunities to excel.Modern-day returners, such as Djokovic, Murray, and Alcaraz, have developed specialized techniques to neutralize the power of Berrettini and other big servers. They employ abbreviated forehands and a mix of blocked and sliced returns to keep the ball in play and reset the point.Another aspect that has contributed to the rise of all-courters on grass is the improvement in movement. On clay or hard courts, players can slide to cover ground, but on grass, the slippery surface requires a different approach. Players must decelerate with smaller steps and quickly recover to the center of the court.As Wimbledon 2023 approaches, the question remains whether Berrettini can refine his grass-court game and overcome the challenge of the all-courters. Despite being unseeded and ranked 60th in the world, he has shown glimpses of his best form in recent weeks. With the absence of Federer and Nadal, and Djokovic and Murray recovering from injuries, the draw is more open than ever. Can Berrettini seize this opportunity and etch his name into Wimbledon history?

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champions of the last two Grand Slams, are poised to dominate the tennis landscape for years to come. Their all-court prowess makes them formidable contenders at all four majors, including Wimbledon, where they are the favorites.Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, is a force to be reckoned with on grass. Sinner, despite losing to Novak Djokovic in the past two years, has also shown impressive form on the surface. However, with Djokovic's absence due to injury, the path is clear for one of these young stars to claim another major title.While Sinner and Alcaraz are the frontrunners, Wimbledon presents opportunities for other players with big serves and powerful baselines. Here are a few betting options to consider:* Matteo Berrettini (14-1): Despite an early exit in Halle, Berrettini has been in excellent form on grass, reaching the final in Stuttgart. His powerful serve and forehand make him a threat on quick surfaces.* Hubert Hurkacz (16-1): Hurkacz's exceptional serve gives him an advantage on grass, where he has a higher winning percentage than on any other surface. His ability to force tiebreakers makes him a potential threat to anyone.* Taylor Fritz (28-1): Fritz's high hold percentage on grass and his ability to win both quick and long rallies make him a contender at Wimbledon.* Sebastian Korda (50-1): Korda's impressive ball-striking and movement make him a dark horse on grass. His recent wins over Karen Khachanov and Grigor Dimitrov at Queen's Club demonstrate his potential.With the absence of Djokovic, Wimbledon 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament with multiple contenders. While Sinner and Alcaraz remain the favorites, the opportunity is ripe for an upset by a player who can harness the power of their serve and baseline game on the grass courts of the All England Club.

Jack Draper's perseverance paid off on Sunday as he claimed his maiden ATP singles title at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart. The 22-year-old Brit overcame a resilient Matteo Berrettini in a thrilling three-set battle, 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.Draper's victory marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became the first British player to win an ATP singles title since Andy Murray in 2016. The triumph also propelled him to the top of the British rankings, ensuring his seeding at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.The match was a testament to the determination and resilience of both players. Berrettini, a two-time champion in Stuttgart, looked poised to secure a third title when he took the first set. However, Draper refused to be deterred and fought back valiantly in the second set.Despite facing two match points in the second-set tiebreak, Draper displayed nerves of steel to save them both and eventually clinch the set. The momentum shifted in his favor, and he carried that confidence into the deciding set.Draper's serve proved to be a formidable weapon throughout the match, as he fired 13 aces. He also showcased his impressive court coverage and ability to retrieve Berrettini's powerful shots.In the end, it was Draper's unwavering belief in himself that carried him to victory. "It's incredible," he said post-match. "It was a really, really tough match. But I'm really happy to win my first title. It means so much to me."Berrettini, who was seeking his second title of the year, was gracious in defeat. "Congrats to Jack. Unbelievable week. Unbelievable match. I was so close," he said. "This one is going to hurt for a little bit, but that's tennis."Draper's victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication. After missing the entire grass-court season last year due to injury, he has made a remarkable comeback. His rise to the top of the British rankings and his maiden ATP title are a testament to his talent and determination.