Top-seeded Alexander Zverev Loses to Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo Masters Upset

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Alexander Zverev, ranked second by the ATP, was defeated by Matteo Berrettini in the Monte Carlo Masters' second round. Berrettini, unseeded, clinched the win with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 scoreline. He secured victory on his first match point while serving for the match a second time against Zverev.

"I wasn't hitting my forehand and serve like I had in previous days," said Berrettini, who has won 17 of his last 18 clay matches. "I told myself to be more aggressive."

Zverev, last year's French Open runner-up, thrilled the crowd at this major clay-court event with a sliced backhand volley in the fifth game. However, Berrettini, a Wimbledon runner-up in 2021, broke Zverev's serve in the seventh game of the final set. Although Zverev managed to break back when Berrettini served for the match at 5-4, Berrettini eventually triumphed after a tense 11th game that included a 48-stroke rally.

Berrettini's Next Challenge

Berrettini will face either Jiri Lehecka or 13th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti next. The last Italian to win this tournament was Fabio Fognini in 2019, who received strong support from Italian fans crossing the nearby border. In other second-round matches on Tuesday, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece began defending his title by defeating Australian Jordan Thompson 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

In another match, U.S. Open semifinalist Jack Draper easily overcame Marcos Giron with a score of 6-1, 6-1. Meanwhile, Holger Rune of Denmark retired from his first-round match against Nuno Borges due to feeling unwell while trailing 6-2, 3-0.

First-Round Highlights

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, seeded No. 15, defeated Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-4 after converting his seventh match point. Dimitrov will next face Monaco's wild card entry Valentin Vacherot. Other first-round victors included Alexei Popyrin and veterans Roberto Bautista Agut and Tomas Machac.

On Wednesday, Novak Djokovic will play against Alejandro Tabilo. Tabilo previously surprised Djokovic with a loss at last year's Italian Open. Djokovic is aiming for his career's 100th title after recently losing the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik.

Berrettini's victory over Zverev marks a significant moment in the tournament as he continues to advance. The Italian player is eager to follow in Fabio Fognini's footsteps and bring home another title for Italy.