ATP Gstaad 2024: Berrettini beats Tsitsipas to reach final

Matteo Berrettini took a big step back to the top of the ATP circuit by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 on Saturday to reach the final in Gstaad.

The 28-year-old Italian, who won the final in Gstaad in 2018, has been struggling with injuries since reaching world number six, a personal best, in May 2022.

He had lost his five previous meetings with the 12th-ranked Greek, but in Switzerland he managed to surpass the decisive moments to reach his third final of the year, after Marrakech in April and Stuttgart in June.

Berrettini’s serve was crucial: he never faced a break point and won 92 percent of points with his first throw.

“I kept serving well and believed that something could happen in a return game, and eventually it did,” Berrettini, currently ranked 82nd, said during his on-court interview.

“Stefanos is a great player, he knows how to mix things up and the tiebreak was very exciting, but like yesterday I think I played a little bit better in important moments.”

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He will face French qualifier Quentin Halys, who is ranked 192nd and defeated German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to reach his first ever ATP final.

The two players previously met at an ITF World Tennis Tour event in Italy in 2015, when Halys emerged as the winner.

“It was a long time ago. I remember it was in Piombino in Tuscany, definitely on a different surface, a hard court,” Berrettini said.

“I remember I couldn’t return his serve, so hopefully I can do it tomorrow. It’s going to be a tough one, but I’m ready.”

Berrettini’s return to form and fitness began with that victory in Marrakech, after which he progressed to the final in Stuttgart, where he was defeated in three sets by Britain’s Jack Draper.

He did not participate in Roland Garros, but showed a good performance in the second round at Wimbledon. In an exciting match with four players he finished second behind compatriot Jannik Sinner.