Wild card Matteo Berrettini edged past Akexei Popyrin 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in 1 hour and 34 minutes to reach the Round of 16 at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. Berrettini will face a match against Cameron Norrie.
Berrettini saved a break point in the ninth game, but he did not convert a set point in the next game. Berrettini earned a mini-break to open up a 4-1 lead. Popyrin reeled off four consecutive points including two mini-breaks to take a 5-4 lead. Berretttini won the final three points in a row to win the tie-break 7-5.
Popyrin saved a break point in the third game to hold serve for 2-1. Berrettini earned two breaks in the seventh and ninth games to close out the second set 6-3.
“I want to enjoy myself in this sport and push the boundaries. I have he potential to give my best”, said Berrettini.
