Matteo Berrettini showcased his grass-court prowess as he defeated Arthur Fils 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of Wimbledon on Tuesday. The Italian former finalist used his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game to overcome the 20-year-old Frenchman, who displayed fighting spirit but lacked the consistency to trouble the 2021 runner-up.
Berrettini's Experience Prevails
Berrettini, seeded 19th, fired 18 aces and won 85% of points on his first serve, according to official match statistics. He broke Fils twice in each of the first two sets, while the Frenchman managed only one break in the entire match. The Italian's ability to raise his level on key points proved decisive.
“I knew it would be a tough match because Arthur is a great player with a bright future,” Berrettini said. “But I have experience on grass and I used that to my advantage.”
Fils Shows Promise Despite Loss
Fils, ranked 34th, showed flashes of brilliance with his powerful forehand and athleticism, but committed 35 unforced errors compared to Berrettini's 22. The Frenchman broke Berrettini's serve in the second set to level at 3-3, but immediately dropped serve in the next game.
“I fought until the end, but Matteo was too solid today,” Fils said. “I need to learn from this match and come back stronger.”
Next Round for Berrettini
Berrettini advances to face Australia's Alex de Minaur in the second round. De Minaur, seeded 15th, defeated qualifier Zizou Bergs in straight sets. Berrettini holds a 3-1 head-to-head record against the Australian, including a victory on grass at Queen's Club in 2022.
