NEW YORK — Matteo Berrettini introduced an finish to Andy Murray’s run on the US Open as he gained in 4 units of their third spherical conflict on Arthur Ashe on Friday.
On a boiling scorching day on Arthur Ashe, Berrettini’s pinpoint serve and deft drop photographs noticed the Italian by way of 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3 in 3hr 47 minutes. The defeat ended Murray’s hopes of creating the fourth spherical of a Grand Slam for the primary time since Wimbledon 2017.
“I served fairly poorly for a big a part of the match, which harm me quite a bit,” Murray stated. “I hung in very well within the third set, and, you recognize, may see from the stats and stuff that have been arising that once I was entering into rallies I used to be getting comfortably the higher of these exchanges when, you recognize, I obtained previous the primary few photographs. “He served extraordinarily nicely, obtained a great deal of free factors on his serve. I did not. That was the distinction.”
Murray headed into this match off the again of opening wins towards Francisco Cerundolo and Emilio Nava, whereas Berrettini had defeated Nicolas Jarry in straight units and wanted 4 to get previous Hugo Grenier.
However within the New York noon solar, it was Berrettini who secured the only break of serve within the first set with Murray conceding it because of a double fault. The 2 exchanged breaks initially of the second however it was Berrettini’s break within the ninth game- once more with Murray shedding break level with a double fault – that allowed the 2021 Wimbledon finalist to serve out. Murray was visibly annoyed on the changeover as he tossed his racket within the path of his seat, earlier than then hitting his bag with the racket.
Berrettini’s drop photographs have been inflicting Murray all kinds of bother, however the third stayed on serve within the early phases however was disrupted within the fourth sport because of a spectator needing medical consideration. At that stage Berrettini had break level, however after a delay within the proceedings, Murray took the sport to deuce and held serve. Each held serve by way of to the tiebreak which Murray dominated, profitable 7-1.
Murray broke Berrettini first up within the fourth, just for the Italian to interrupt again within the subsequent sport. However the pivotal second occurred within the eighth sport the place Berrettini pressured two break factors and a poor backhand from Murray discovered the online to offer Berrettini the prospect to serve for the match. He gave himself two match factors and transformed on the first time of asking as he pinged down a serve which Murray may solely get a racket on.
“I’ve obtained a steel hip,” Murray stated afterwards. “It isn’t simple enjoying with that. It is actually tough. I am stunned I am nonetheless capable of compete with guys which are proper up on the high of the sport.
“Matches like this, you recognize, I am actually proud that I’ve labored myself right into a place the place I am in a position to do this. I am actually disenchanted that, you recognize, I did not recover from the road right this moment. However, you recognize, I get reminded like that is the primary time you’ve got made the third spherical right here since 2016. It has been six years. It has been a tough six years for me. It has been actually onerous.
“Though it is the primary time I’ve solely made the third spherical right here, I am actually happy with that effort that I put into, you recognize, to get myself again into these positions. So I am hoping that sooner or later I can go additional, however contemplating, I did all proper. “I feel I am bettering this yr. You recognize, my rankings, I do not even know what I used to be firstly of the yr, however I am now round 40-ish on the earth and nonetheless going onerous. I wish to push and see how far I can go.
“That can be motivational for me and fascinating to see, as a result of plenty of folks advised me I would not be capable of play once more, and many folks advised me I would be capable of hit tennis balls however not compete professionally once more. That was nonsense, and I wish to see how shut I can get again to the highest of the sport.”
This was the fourth assembly between Murray and Berrettini, with Murray profitable in Beijing in 2019 and Berrettini taking the bragging rights in 2021 at Queen’s Membership. Their final match was earlier this yr in Stuttgart again in June, the place Berrettini gained 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
The defeat finishes Murray’s Grand Slam calendar this yr which noticed him attain the second spherical of the Australian Open whereas he selected to withdraw from Roland Garros to concentrate on the grass court docket season. However at Wimbledon his marketing campaign completed within the second spherical as he suffered a defeat to John Isner.
Berrettini’s had a turbulent yr. After reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, a hand damage noticed him sidelined for the French Open whereas he contracted COVID-19 within the run as much as Wimbledon which dominated him out of the championship. However he is now into the fourth spherical of the US Open the place he’ll face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
