Matteo Berrettini is about to play the second Grand Slam semi-final of his career. The entertaining Italian player reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2019 but that was a bit of a surprise for everyone including Matteo.
This year in Wimbledon, the expectations were quite different. Matteo Berrettini was already considered by top betting companies one of the top favorites to win the Championships. Berrettini won the prestigious title at the Queen’s Club, and he looked incredibly comfortable played on grass.
In the press conference that followed his quarter-final against his dear friend Felix Auger Aliassime, Matteo confirmed that his expectations for this Wimbledon were pretty high. He said:
“I would say that it’s different, but at the same time, it’s great. Obviously [at the] US Open I didn’t know before the tournament that I could achieve that. I just played match after match, and I kind of found myself in the semis.
I was playing good, fighting like I’m doing now, but it was more unexpected. Stepping into this tournament (Wimbledon), I knew that I could do it. I also know that the run is not over, so it’s different. Before this tournament, I just felt that I’m a better player now. I have more experience. I had more matches on my shoulders.
Everything that I am achieving, it’s great, but it’s not something that I didn’t expect.”
Ranked world no.9, Matteo owns a 31-6 match record in 2021. Berrettini is now having a run in Wimbledon where he managed to beat Guido Pella 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-0, Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 7-64, Aljaz Bedene 6-4 6-4 6-4, Ilya Ivashka 6-4 6-3 6-1 and Felix Auger Aliassime 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-3.
Matteo Berrettini will compete against the world no.18 Hubert Hurkacz in the semifinal on Friday at 1:30 pm on Centre Court. Their actual head to head record is 1-1.
Berrettini clinched 2 titles in 2021 in Belgrade and in London. The Italian was the finalist in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open).
The Italian won 5 titles in his career: 3 on clay courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Hurkacz in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently ranked no.18, Hurkacz has a 20-11 match record in 2021. Hurkacz is playing in Wimbledon where he beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 7-65 6-1, Marcos Giron 6-3 6-2 6-4, Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-4 6-2, Daniil Medvedev 2-6 7-62 3-6 6-3 6-3 and Roger Federer 6-3 7-64 6-0.
Hubert has won 2 titles in 2021 in Delray Beach and in Miami.
Matteo Berrettini and Hubert Hurkacz clashed against each other only twice. Their actual head to head record is 1-1. Previously, the last time when they squared off, Hubert Hurkacz won 6-4 6-3 in the 1st round in Miami (Miami Open) in March 2019.