TENNIS – Matteo Berrettini is through to the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 win over Belarus’ Ilya Ivashka on Monday. He now has a nine match winning streak under his belt and remains undefeated on grass this season.
Lorenzo Sonego was unable to join his compatriot in the Wimbledon quarter-finals as a dominant Federer moved forward in The Championship. However, there is an Italian sporting renaissance. Tonight, Italy face Spain in the semi-finals of football’s Euro 2020 championship. On Sunday, Italy’s men’s basketball team secured their spot at the Olympic Games for the first time since 2004.
Berrettini carries Italian flag into the quarter-finals
Berrettini came into the Championships after a title triumph at Queen’s, where he lifted the first ATP 500 trophy of his career.
“I feel I am playing for sure the best tennis of my career,” staid Berrettini.
“2019 I was playing good, but everything was kind of new. I had to adjust a little bit. Now I have more confidence for sure, more experience as well. I know I can achieve my best results like I’m doing quarters in Paris, quarters here. Obviously, the tournament is not done yet. I’m really looking forward to achieving even more.”
Up next for Berrettini is his good friend and no.16 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Coached by Toni Nadal, Felix triumphed over no.4 seed Alexander Zverev in a four-hour, five setter.
Berrettini is the first Italian man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since Davide Sanguinetti in 1998. He is one of a strong group of players from Italy getting noticed on the ATP tour. There are 10 Italian men in the top 100; three of them are in the top 30.
Sonego out to Federer after rain disrupts play
The first set was delicately poised. The marathon 11th game was stopped because of a downpour, just as Sonego fought off a fourth break point of the game.
The players trotted off as the roof on Centre Court was closed. 20 minutes later and Lorenzo Sonego started with a double fault which handed the break to Federer. The crowd were sympathetic in their sighs.
Federer still had to battle to keep control of his own serve, saving two break points before serving for the first set. Things then moved more smoothly for the Swiss, winning the match in straight sets, 7-5 6-4 6-2.
“I felt after the first set I was able to control things,” Federer said.
