Berrettini’s quest to defend Queen’s title continues, into final despite weather

Italian Matteo Berrettini, the second seed and defending champion, advanced to the final of Queen’s by defeating Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-3.

Despite a half-hour break in play due to rain, the world No 10 kept his composure and will now play either Serb Filip Krajinovic or Croat Marin Cilic as he seeks to retain his crown.

“I guess this is the UK!” he laughed when asked about the changeable conditions. “Yesterday it felt like Italy. Today is more London weather. We have to adjust to everything!”

He was, naturally, pleased to make it through against a difficult opponent.

“It feels unbelievable. Today was a really tough match, we stopped for the rain, I had chances, I got broken serving for the first set, it was windy again. I think I played my best match of the week.”

Van de Zandschulp is likely to be rather more disgruntled, with the rain delay coming with Berrettini break point up.

The Italian had won against Daniel Evans (6-3, 6-3), American lucky loser Denis Kudla (3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4) and American Tommy Paul (6-4, 6-2) ahead of his victory.

In the previous rounds of the Queen’s Championships, Van De Zandschulp, ranked No 29, beat qualifier Paul Jubb (7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1), Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (7-6 (5), 6-3) and Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-2, 6-4).