Berrettini, Gstaad already holds an important place in his heart, but this time there is something even more crucial at stake.
He didn’t linger, never lost focus. What made his debut on Tuesday in the picturesque setting of the Roy Emerson Arena in Gstaad was a Matteo Berrettini in great form, as concrete and brilliant as we had hoped. He knocked out what on paper could have been a tricky opponent because he was the defending champion, namely Pedro Cachin, in just two sets.
He detached the pass, in doing so, for the round of 16, where awaiting him will be Colombian Daniel Elahi Galán. Up for grabs in the Alps will be a place in the quarters, but not only that. Should the Roman win this other battle as well and advance to the next round (where he would find one between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Yannick Hanfmann), he would also put quite a few points in the safe. Which we know he needs like crazy at this point in his career.
In fact, from a ranking perspective, the challenge at the foot of the Swiss Alps could prove crucial for the former Italian No. 1. Matteo started the week as world number 82, but his victory in the first round of the Atp in Gstaad has already allowed him to occupy, albeit only virtually (the ranking is updated every Monday, ed.), the 75th place. With a single victory he has gained 7 positions, but he could gain many more.
Berrettini’s climb begins again in the Alps
If Berrettini were to advance again in the tournament where he won his first Atp title and to which he is, in light of this, very fond, he would have only to gain.
Not only in economic terms, but especially in terms of ranking. Landing the quarterfinals on the red course in Gstaad would take him to 68th place, while the semifinals would be worth placing him at 60th in the world rankings. And it doesn’t end there. Should, we hope it happens, the 2021 Wimbledon viceroy succeed in the Swiss arena, his haul would rise to 965 (he had 740 upon arrival) and this would propel him directly into the top 50, more precisely to No. 49 in the ranking.
He would gain 9 places less if he is beaten in the final: he would then be number 58, which would still not be bad. The hope, of course, is that he makes it to the bottom, but whichever way he goes the important thing is to gain ground, especially in view of the main draw for the main draw tables of the Summer Masters 1000 and the Us Open. And let’s just hope, then, that her heartland venue does not disappoint her expectations.
