The Arizona Tennis Classic final will be a showdown between two former champions at the Phoenix Country Club: 2019 titlist Matteo Berrettini and last year’s winner Nuno Borges.
Former World No. 6 Berrettini completed double duty Saturday at the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event to reach his first final at any level since October 2022 while Borges moved one step closer to his title defence.
Due to rain Friday, Berrettini was forced to play his quarter-final and semi-final matches Saturday. The Italian kicked off the day with a dramatic 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(6) win against French qualifier Terence Atmane and returned to court roughly three hours later, ousting Australian Aleksandar Vukic 7-6(2), 7-6(2) in the last four.
The 2021 Wimbledon finalist, who is competing in his first tournament following a six-month injury layoff, has three times rallied from a set down this week.
“I did so much work over the last [six] months that I couldn’t compete,” Berrettini said. “I really pushed through. So many sad moments unfortunately and I think that’s where I found the energy today, I just thought about the injuries and [those] moments. I’m just enjoying my time on court.”
First final since 2022 💪
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 17, 2024
Matteo Berrettini is through to the Phoenix final besting Vukic 7-6(2), 7-6(2)!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/2b8Ah9FiQ0
Portugal’s Borges overcame Frenchman Luca Van Assche 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 after saving 12 of 16 break points faced in a two-hour, 34-minute battle. The No. 60 in the PIF ATP Rankings fought off physical struggles late in the match, even receiving a visit from the physio at 2-1 in the decider, to continue his quest for a sixth ATP Challenger Tour crown.
“I really thought I lost it after that second set. I was up a break twice,” said Borges, who reached the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open. “That’s when I really started to struggle serving and he made it really physical from the beginning. I just gave it my best. I’m really proud of myself and how I fought.”
🔙2️⃣🔙 Phoenix finals 🙌
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 17, 2024
Nuno Borges makes a return trip to the title match defeating Van Assche 6-4, 4-6, 6-2!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/s8trBTaAgW
The singles final will begin Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time / 10 p.m. Central European Time. Fans can tune into Challenger TV to watch all ATP Challenger Tour matches live and on demand at no cost.
In Phoenix doubles action, top seeds Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul will meet Rinky Hijikata and Henry Patten in the final.
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