London, July 4 (FN Agency) In a thrilling showdown at Wimbledon on Wednesday, Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner secured a remarkable victory over fellow countryman and former finalist Matteo Berrettini.The gripping second-round clash, which lasted an intense three hours and 45 minutes, saw Sinner triumph 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(4), showcasing his tenacity and skill on the grand stage.Facing each other for just the second time, Sinner and Berrettini delivered a masterclass in baseline power play, each vying to dominate the exchanges with blistering groundstrokes. The match was a nail-biter, with little to separate the two competitors. Sinner, however, managed to force crucial backhand errors from Berrettini at crucial junctures. His resilience was evident as he fought back from a breakdown in both the second and fourth sets, securing his place in the third round just 27 minutes before the 11 pm curfew.With this victory, the top seed extended his flawless tour-level record against fellow Italians to an impressive 14-0.Berrettini, who spent much of 2019 to 2022 as Italy’s No. 1 and reached the Wimbledon final in 2021, has seen a shift in fortunes. After dropping out of the Top 10 in June 2022, Sinner quickly ascended past him, continuing to rise.
Sinner, now World No. 1, has since defeated Berrettini en route to winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto and clinching his maiden major crown at the Australian Open in January.In contrast, World No. 59 Berrettini has battled injuries, with his best result recently being a title in Marrakech in April.In this high-stakes encounter between two of Italy’s finest, Sinner displayed his prowess with 32 winners and only 25 unforced errors, notching his 40th tour-level win of the season. He effectively countered Berrettini’s 28 aces, winning 82 percent of his first-serve points.As Sinner continues his quest for a second major title and a Tour-leading fifth crown of the year, he next faces Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated 27th seed Tallon Griekspoor in a five-set thriller. Fresh off winning the ATP 500 grass-court event in Halle, the 22-year-old Sinner has battled hard in his opening matches at Wimbledon, including a four-set victory over Yannick Hanfmann.With determination and poise, Sinner is making his mark, poised to leave a lasting impression on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon.