Matteo Berrettini made a triumphant return to the Italian Open on May 10, 2025, defeating Jacob Fearnley of Great Britain in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(0), at the iconic Foro Italico in Rome. This victory marks Berrettini's first win at this prestigious tournament in four years, showcasing his resilience and determination after a challenging period plagued by injuries.
In an intense match that lasted just under two hours, Berrettini displayed a mix of power and precision, particularly with his serve, which reached an impressive speed of 219 km/h. The first set was tightly contested, with both players holding serve until Berrettini broke Fearnley in the ninth game, capitalizing on a crucial double fault from the Brit. The Italian then served out the set, taking it 6-4.
The second set saw Berrettini encounter more difficulties as Fearnley found his rhythm, even taking a 5-3 lead. However, the home crowd rallied behind Berrettini, and he managed to fight back, saving two set points before forcing a tiebreak. In a stunning display of focus, Berrettini dominated the tiebreak, winning it 7-0 without dropping a single point, much to the delight of the fans.
After the match, an emotional Berrettini addressed the crowd, saying, "Mi siete mancati!" (You have been missing to me!), expressing his gratitude for their support. He added, "If you could feel my heartbeat, you would understand the emotion. For too long, I missed this atmosphere. At one point, it seemed almost impossible to step onto the court, but thanks to my team and my family, I am here today. In the end, it's all about emotion; I wanted to live this moment."
Berrettini's victory propels him into the third round, where he will face the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Aleksandr Bublik. This win is particularly significant for Berrettini, who has not played in front of his home crowd since May 2021 due to injuries that sidelined him for an extended period.
In other matches on the day, Andrey Rublev fell to Fabian Marozsan in a surprising upset, losing 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Rublev's exit adds to the list of early surprises at this year’s tournament, as Frances Tiafoe also bowed out, losing to Sebastian Ofner 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3. Meanwhile, Tommy Paul advanced with a convincing victory over Roberto Bautista Agut, winning 6-1, 6-4.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Jannik Sinner, the world number one, who is set to make his return to competitive play after a three-month suspension related to the Clostebol case. Sinner is scheduled to face Argentine Mariano Navone at 19:00 on the same day, marking a highly anticipated comeback for the young star.
In the women’s draw, Jasmine Paolini is also making headlines as she competes against Ons Jabeur in the third round. Fans are eager to see how the Italian players will perform as the tournament continues.
Berrettini’s journey at the Italian Open is a testament to his perseverance and love for the sport. With the support of the home crowd, he aims to continue his winning ways and make a deep run in the tournament, hoping to add another title to his growing list of achievements.
As the day unfolds, the Foro Italico promises to deliver more thrilling matches and unforgettable moments, with players like Berrettini and Sinner leading the charge for Italian tennis.
