Taylor Fritz’s H2H record of 5-0 against Matteo Berrettini tells us a story, perhaps! But it has not always been a cruise for the World No. 4, by his own admission. “In the head-to-head, I’ve been able to get him, but it’s always been really close, as it always will be, because, you know, both of us are big servers,” Fritz said ahead of their US Open encounter last year, which he won in straight sets. The story was no different in the ongoing Miami Open, where Berrettini finished on the wrong side of the result again in the QF, although he managed to take a set off Fritz this time. After the match, the Italian got engaged in a hilarious banter with Fritz on social media.
Taylor Fritz recovered after letting slip 6 match points in a dramatic second set to maintain his clean sheet against Berrettini. He defeated the Italian by 7-5,6(7)-7,7-5 in this epic 2-hour and 44-minute battle! Speaking about this intense battle in his post-match interview, Fritz said, “It was tough. I kept trying to tell myself that he played well and it’s not as much on me, so try not to get frustrated. I think my best looks there, I had three match points seeing a second serve from him. I think I really have to win one of those.”
There were several close moments in this match, but in the end, Fritz’s bold return strategy against the hefty server sealed the deal for him in an epic battle. He admitted, “There were two options. Get frustrated, lose, and then be even more frustrated about all the chances I blew, or regroup and get the win. Now I can sleep tonight and not be so mad at the chances I blew.” Fritz even shared a few glimpses of that match on his IG handle with the caption, “What a battle last night @miamiopen SEMIS .”
Interestingly, in reply to that post, Berrettini himself commented with a cheeky middle finger emoji. Fritz, enjoying the playful frustration of his friend-cum-rival, responded to that with laughing emojis. Even the official IG handle of the Miami Open dropped a comment saying, “@matberrettini BOSS buddies .“
Fritz and Berrettini have known each other for quite a while now, and both of them have partnerships with the German fashion brand, BOSS. They even walked for the renowned fashion brand at last year’s Milan Fashion Week. After that event, fans claimed Berrettini ‘BOSSed‘ Fritz, but this time the American got the edge when it came to their on-court battle. How does Fritz always manage to get the better of the Italian in these matches, though? Does he play with any specific strategy against Berrettini?
Well, after his win over Berrettini at the 2021 Indian Wells Open, Fritz admitted, “I had a really clear strategy on top of just doing what I do. Big first serves, attacking the first ball, trying to be aggressive and play to my strengths to try and make him uncomfortable as much as I could.”
This time in Miami was no exception! After securing his sixth ATP Masters 1000 SF and first in Miami, Fritz revealed what he always does in his matches against Matteo Berrettini, which is completely different from when he plays against anyone else on the Tour. What is it, though? “I think, to be honest, if you watch any of the matches specifically against Matteo [Berrettini], I feel like I return like I did tonight in a lot of our matchups. It is very far off from how I normally position to return. Typically, I am more comfortable being a bit more back and giving myself more time, but against him, his serve is too good and it is too comfortable, it gives him too much time to find the forehand when I am returning far back,” Fritz revealed.
Despite successfully managing to keep his winning record intact against Berrettini, Fritz went down to the 19-year-old Czech star, Jakub Mensik, in the SF match. Mensik has now reached his first ATP 1000 final, and he’ll be facing the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, in the final. What did both Mensik and Fritz say after the match?
After losing his SF match, Taylor Fritz picks his favorite to win the 2025 Miami Open
Jakub Mensik, the teenager from the Czech Republic, looked very calm and composed during his match against the World number 4. He fired 25 aces and proved clutch in both tie-breaks to outclass the home-favorite, Taylor Fritz by 7-6(4),4-6,7-6(4). With this win against Fritz, Mensik has now become the third-lowest-ranked finalist in the history of this tournament. What did he say after this incredible win?
“I just cannot describe how I feel right now, the feeling will come later. It was a fantastic atmosphere even though I was facing an American here. The key was to stay focused. He serves the same as me so it was just a game of serves. He didn’t give me the opportunity to break him, so the two tie breaks decided it,” said Mensik.
Taylor Fritz saved the only two break points he faced against the Czech, both in the third set. Speaking about his performance in this match, he said, “I think when I’m playing well when I’m winning matches, it’s kind of just what I do. I pull through these situations. So to just kind of get out-toughed in two tie-breaks, it sucks. I did my job. I didn’t get broken. I didn’t face a break point until the third set, so… it sucks.“
Jakub Mensik will now be facing his tennis idol Novak Djokovic for the second time in his career. Both of them have previously met each other at the 2024 Shanghai Masters where Djokovic secured a comfortable victory. Who will have the last laugh this time? According to Fritz, “If the conditions are fast enough and he’s (Mensik) serving well enough, he’s always going to be in the match. It’s going to be tight. He’s going to have a solid chance.”
The six-time Miami Open champion Djokovic is seeking to clinch his 100th career ATP title for a long time. Can he stop the dream run of the ‘Giant Slayer‘ in the epic final? Let us know in the comments below.
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