Berrettini Helps Seal Italy's Victory Against Brazil

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Matteo Berrettini made a good start to his season Friday and in doing so put Italy in position to close out its tie against Brazil at the United Cup. Lucia Bronzetti then finished the job to clinch her country's eventual 3-2 victory.

Berrettini first powered past Brazilian No. 1 Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 7-6(7) to give his country a 2-1 lead.

“Pretty happy I have to say. It’s been a long time since I’ve played my last singles match, so I didn’t know what to expect. I think the level was pretty high,” Berrettini said. “I’m happy for my performance, but obviously when you play in these kind of competitions the most important thing is to get the win and bring a point for the team and that’s why I’m even happier.”

Berrettini needed two hours and 51 minutes to defeat Monteiro last year on the clay of Rio de Janeiro. Their clash Friday was also tough, but after saving two set points in the second set the favoured Italian used his bigger game to hit his way to victory in Brisbane after one hour and 56 minutes.

Monteiro battled valiantly for his country, hitting a tremendous forehand passing shot at one moment late in the second set that drew raucous applause from the Pat Rafter Arena crowd. He also benefitted from the encouragement of his Team Zone, with captain Rafael Paciaroni and coach Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo urging him on throughout.

But his opponent’s firepower was simply too much to overcome. Berrettini dominated play with his serve — winning 88 per cent of his first-serve points (38/43) and not facing a break point — and dictated rallies with his forehand at every opportunity.

The No. 16 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings was unable to break serve in the second set and found himself up against it in the tie-break down 4/6. But after finding a sharp angle at the net in a cat-and-mouse point to retrieve the mini break, he did not relinquish another service point.

“It’s all about the heart, especially when you’re playing for Italy. When you see your teammates in the box, you have to give a little bit more and that’s what I tried to do,” Berrettini said. “Always playing tough matches against Thiago, really tough player. But I think I played better in the important moments and that’s why I won.”

While Berrettini powered past Monteiro to give his country a 2-1 lead. Bronzetti picked up the baton and raced away, running off the first 10 games to defeat Laura Pigossi 6-0, 6-2 and clinch the tie for the Italians.

Playing at a career-high World No. 54, Bronzetti showed her class in a dominant win over No. 118 Pigossi. Despite the difference in their rankings, both women made their maiden WTA finals last year, with Bronzetti finishing as runner-up in Palermo and Pigossi doing the same in Bogota.

But Pigossi had no answers for Bronzetti's furious start. Despite serving at 82 per cent of first serves in, the Brazilian won just 33 per cent of her first-serve points in the first set. Pigossi showed her competitive spirit late in the second set, as she fought to get on the board and nearly put the set back on serve, but Pigossi repeatedly held her nerve in a series of key double-digit rallies.

In the mixed doubles, Brazil's Rafael Matos and Luisa Stefani clawed past Berrettini and Camilla Rosatello 6-4, 6-7(4), 10-4. Brazil will next face Norway on Saturday and Sunday before Italy takes on Norway on Monday and Tuesday.