AFTER having to take the tough road, Italian Matteo Berrettini is back alright. The former world number six claimed his third title of 2024 – and second consecutive trophy – at the Generali Open over the weekend when he knocked off Frenchman Hugo Gaston 7-5 6-3 in the final.

The 28-year-old proved too powerful for Gaston as his serve and forehand combination – something that helped him reach a Grand Slam final – worked over the young Frenchman. The win meant Berrettini had won both Kitzbuhel and the week before in Gstaad without dropping a set.

“I’m just so happy and so tired,” Berrettini said post-match. “It’s been a crazy two weeks, playing I think some of my best level of tennis.”

Berrettini served eight aces and won 80 per cent of his first serve points, shaking off Gaston late in set win to go from 5-5 to win seven of the next seven games and serve for the match at 5-2. However missing that opportunity, the Italian did not lose the faith, able to secure the title in the eighth game by breaking back immediately to take out the win, 7-5 6-3.

“I was happy that I had the double break. In tennis, you never know. A little bit of tension, he played a great game,” Berrettini said. “I was focussed, I kept doing what I was doing well, hitting the ball well, hitting the ball aggressive in important moments.”

Having suffered his fair share of injury issues over the last few years, Berrettini was incredibly playing in low-level Challenger events earlier this year, before a run to the final in the Phoenix challenger and breakthrough title in early April at Marrakech’s ATP 250 event kick-started his form.

He made three more finals after Marrakech, winning the past two, with straight set wins over top stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Stefanos Tsitsipas along the way. His record since losing in the first round of Miami to Andy Murray is an impeccable 19-4, rising back into the Top 50 for the first time since August last year.

Now in at 40th in the world, Berrettini is back in Davis Cup contention, being the fourth ranked Italian in the world. If he can capture another ATP 250 title, then the Top 30 beckons. He is also in a rare club, having won three titles in 2024, in the same air as Jannik Sinner (four) and Carlos Alcaraz (three).

AROUND THE COURTS

Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo saluted in the Croatia Open in three sets, coming from behind against talented young Italian Lorenzo Musetti to win in three sets, 2-6 6-4 7-6 in a flat three hours. The players won the same amount of points (112) and Musetti was more potent on return, but Cerundolo’s ability to save key points and hold serve in the final two sets proved the difference.