Matteo Berrettini had an unfortunate end to his campaign in Mexico. The Italian retired midway through the second set after suffering from an abdominal injury. He was up against the spirited American Tommy Paul in the first-round clash. However, Berrettini decided to withdraw from the match when the scoreline read 6-4, 1-5, with the Italian taking the first set.

Matteo Berrettini started brightly in Acapulco

The 25-year-old was coming on the back of a disappointing campaign at the Rio Open. However, he made a good start here in the first round, breaking Tommy Paul’s serve in the very first game. Further, he was strong on his serves in the first set, winning 82% of his first serve points and 70% second serve points.

He gave his American opponent breathing space as he held his serves throughout the first set. Subsequently, the Italian won the opening set 6-4.

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Further, the second set began with both the players holding their serves. However, Paul broke his higher-ranked opponent’s serve in the fourth game. The American gained momentum in the second set and continued his dominance with Berrettini troubled by an abdominal injury. Subsequently, he decided to pull out from the match when Paul broke his serve again in the sixth game.

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It was an important victory for Tommy Paul, who is gradually moving up the ranks. He will face Dusan Lajovic of Serbia next in the second round.

Berrettini’s 2022 season

The Italian has had a mixed season thus far. He started this year at the ATP Cup in Sydney. However, he lost two out of the three matches he played at the tournament. Further, in the Australian Open, he managed a semi-final finish, losing to the eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the last-four clash.

Next up, he had a disappointing campaign in the Rio Open. He lost to the Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard eventually went on to win the tournament.

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With the ‘Sunshine Double’ approaching next month, it will be a huge blow for Berrettini due to his unfortunate injury. We hope that the Italian recovers soon and returns in time for the BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells.