Arizona: Berrettini through to first final since 2022

Former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini is through to the final of the Arizona Tennis Classic, an ATP 175 Challenger event being held at the Phoenix Country Club.

Berrettini, playing his first event since last year’s US Open due to injury, won tow matches on Saturday – first his rain-delayed quarter-final and then his semi-final.

The former world No 6 first scored a 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(6) win over French qualifier Terence Atmane early on Saturday and then came back to oust Australian Aleksandar Vukic 7-6(2), 7-6(2) to reach his first final since October 2022.

“I did so much work over the last [six] months that I couldn’t compete,” Berrettini said as per the ATP Tour. “I really pushed through. So many sad moments unfortunately and I think that’s where I found the energy today, I just thought about the injuries and (these) moments. I’m just enjoying my time on court.”

The Italian, who won this title in 2019, will face defending champion Nuno Borges for the title on Sunday. Borges defeated Frenchman Luca Van Assche 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in the second semi-final on Saturday. This will be the first meeting between the two 27-year-olds.

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