“I deserve this moment” – Berrettini blasts past Griekspoor, into Doha quarter-finals

Italian Matteo Berrettini advanced to the last eight of the Qatar Open by edging out Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 6-4 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Wednesday evening.

The Italian backed up his win over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic with another stellar serving performance. He has yet to be broken in his two matches in Doha, and he didn’t face a break point against the Dutchman.

“I knew it would be a completely different match,” Berrettini said. “[Djokovic and Griekspoor] are completely different players and I know that when you had success the previous day you have to expect to not feel the same way the next day. I went on court really focused, I wasn’t feeling the ball as well as yesterday, but it’s part of tennis, I’m used to it.”

Griekspoor was able to wiggle through the second-set tiebreak, despite winning just 16 points on return over the course of the match.

“I fought really hard in three sets, couple of mistakes in the second set tiebreak, but I kept fighting and I’m really proud of my mental toughness – it wasn’t easy to digest a tiebreak like that,” Berrettini said.

Berrettini: “Yes, I belong”

The Italian reached his 34th ATP quarter-final, and first on an outdoor hardcourt since 2023. The 28-year-old has struggled with injuries of late, and notoriously throughout his career, but the former world No 6 and 10-time ATP title winner is feeling like he is getting back to top form.

Even through the dark moments he says the self-belief has never left him.

“I was telling myself that I deserve this moment,” he said. “I really worked hard to be back here at the best tournaments in the world. Sometimes I think I forget too easily all the hard work that I put in, so I reminded myself and that’s why I fought so hard.”

Asked if he felt if he can compete with the top players on the ATP Tour, Berrettini said:

“That’s a feeling that never went away, deep inside of me. There were moments, dark moments, but deep inside I knew my level was there. You need matches. You need to feel the energy and when you lose, feel the anger and the sadness, in order to come back. I definitely belong here.”

Berrettini, ranked No 35, will face No 8 seed Jack Draper next.

The Italian won against Serb Novak Djokovic, the No 3 seed (7-6 (4), 6-2) ahead of his victory.

In the previous round of the Doha tournament, Griekspoor, ranked No 51, defeated German Jan-Lennard Struff (7-6 (5), 7-6 (7)).

Doha ATP 500, other second-round results (Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, hard, USD 3.035.960, most recent results first):

• Carlos Alcaraz (1) beat Luca Nardi (Q): 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
• Hamad Medjedovic vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime
• Jiri Lehecka beat Fabian Marozsan: 6-4, 6-2
• Daniil Medvedev (4) beat Zizou Bergs: 6-2, 6-1
• Andrey Rublev (5) beat Nuno Borges: 6-3, 6-4
• Jack Draper beat Christopher O’Connell (Q): 6-2, 6-1
• Alex De Minaur (2) beat Botic van de Zandschulp (Q): 6-4, 6-4

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