Gstaad Open LIVE: Matteo Berrettini made a winning return to the ATP Tour Thursday, when he dispatched Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals at the Gstaad oPEN. Playing in his first match since triumphing at The Queen’s Club in June, the Italian showed little sign of rustiness against the Frenchman, improving to 2-0 in their Head-to-Head record.
Gstaad Open LIVE: Matteo Berrettini makes winning return, defeats Richard Gasquet in straight sets in second round at Gstaad Open
Impressive display of @MattBerrettini. He decides the battle of two former Gstaad champions for himself, beating @richardgasquet1 6:4 6:4.#SwissOpenGstaad #atp250 #federazioneitaliantennis #swisstennis pic.twitter.com/EcxoxHYXP2
— EFG Swiss Open Gstaad (@SwissOpenGstaad) July 21, 2022
In front of a vocal crowd, the second seed fired seven aces and won 79 per cent (31/39) of his first-serve points to advance after one hour and 30 minutes, setting up a meeting with Pedro Martinez. The fifth-seeded Spaniard edged Elias Ymer 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and 49 minutes.
Berrettini, who missed Wimbledon due to Covid, has now won his past 10 matches. He lifted trophies on grass in Stuttgart and London in June after missing the spring clay swing in Europe due to a right hand injury.
The World No. 15 is making his second appearance in Gstaad, having not dropped a set en route to the title in 2018.
Earlier, Casper Ruud started his title defence with victory, overcoming #NextGenATP Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.
The top seed dropped just one set en route to the title at the ATP 250 event last season and once again looked at home on the clay in Switzerland. The Norwegian saved all five break points he faced to advance after one hour and 39 minutes in their first ATP Head2Head meeting.
Gstaad Open LIVE: Matteo Berrettini makes winning return, defeats Richard Gasquet in straight sets in second round at Gstaad Open