By Tony Fairbairn
- Matteo Berrettini [2] def Andy Murray 6-4 5-7 6-3
STUTTGART, GERMANY – Andy Murray has denied that his latest injury setback will effect him going forward after narrowly losing the Stuttgart final to second seed Matteo Berrettini.
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Matteo Berrettini [2] def Andy Murray 6-4 5-7 6-3
Andy Murray narrowly missed out on a first ATP title of the season after a three set defeat to Matteo Berrettini in the Stuttgart final. Murray showed his intent early on as he used his energy in footwork and stubborn defence to neutralise the points. However Murray’s eagerness got the best of him in the second service which saw Berrettini’s forehand dictate play and overpower the Brit for an early 2-1 lead.
Murray remained undeterred though and worked the angles in the next game, setting up powerful winners in the open court. But the Italian produced big serves and patterns of play in the right moments as the second seed saved four break points to hold for 3-1. Berrettini latched onto the confidence from the crucial service hold and went on the attack in the next game firing forehand winners past the Brit. Murray passed the test using big serves and energetic defence to save three break points to hold to narrow the gap to 3-2.
Although Murray had something to build on his serve, the Brit couldn’t neutralise the Italian’s serve and construct points as Berrettini comfortably closed out the opening set 6-4. The same story applied in the second set with Murray slowly building up rhythm on return but the end product was lacking as Berrettini shut down the opportunities with ruthless power.
Both players continued to shut down opportunities with great serving and powerful baseline play, exposing each other’s weaknesses. Eventually it was Berrettini who was consistently the most aggressive and created a few break points in the ninth game to have the chance to serve out the match.
But Murray remained resilient and saved those break points with aggressive serving and high percentage tactics. Those tactics paid off as eventually Murray got the breakthrough he deserved in the twelfth game to break for the second set and level the match at one set all.
Optimism was building in the Murray camp but that soon decreased as the Brit was broken in the opening game of the third set through some powerful returning from the Italian. That was then followed up by Murray calling for a medical time-out for his hip which was starting to bother him.
That would be a theme throughout the set as Berrettini continued to ease through his service games and it eventually got to a point where the Brit could no longer push up to serve. In the end Berrettini took advantage of Murray’s limitations to break for a second time in the set and seal the title.
The win means the Italian wins an ATP title on his return to the tour and looks to defend his title at Queen’s Club next week. As for Murray it was a great week for him as he reached his second ATP final of the season and a place back inside the world’s top 50.
However the Brit’s hip injury came back towards the end of the match which raises question marks about his appearance at Queen’s Club next week. After the match though in his on-court interview Murray dismissed claims of problems regarding his hip:
“There’s been a lot of progress the last few weeks and I’m looking forward to what the future has to hold,” Murray was quoted as saying by inews. “We’re feeling a lot more a lot better about my game and hopefully my body can hold up a little while longer so I can keep playing matches like this.”
Queen’s Club starts tomorrow with Wimbledon starting on the 27 June.
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