Berrettini advances to second final in as many weeks in Kitzbuhel

Let there be no doubt: Matteo Berrettini is back!

The 28-year-old Italian, who in March was floundering outside the Top 150 of the PIF ATP Rankings,  advanced to his second ATP 250 final in as many weeks Friday when he defeated Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-4 in the Generali Open semi-finals in Kitzbuhel.

Berrettini dropped just four points on his first serve and saved the lone break point he faced according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I feel really good. Obviously I feel tired in the way that I have had a lot of matches on my shoulders, but it’s a good feeling,” Berrettini said. “It’s not tired that I cannot play anymore, it’s tired that I’m pushing myself and this is what I was looking to before the tournament, hoping to have as many matches as possible.

“It’s been a great two weeks and hopefully tomorrow’s going to be another title; that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

Chasing his 10^th final and third of the season, the former World No. 6 faces a first-time Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting in Saturday’s championship match (1 p.m. CEST) with Frenchman Hugo Gaston. The crafty left-hander was leading Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-1, 2-0 when the Argentine retired with a right knee injury.

Berrettini, who has won five career titles on clay, has surged to No. 46 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings this week and could rise to No. 40 with the title.

Gaston came into the tournament with just five match wins on the year but has risen 31 spots to No. 60 in the live standings. He will chase his first ATP Tour title in his second final (Gstaad, 2021).

The former World No. 2 junior saved two match points against top seed Sebastian Baez in the semi-finals.

”I feel pretty good on court, physically, mentally, my game and my shots and everything are feeling really good and really strong, so I’ve got really got confidence,” Gaston said. “But you have to win every point and you have to win the last one if you want to drink the champagne so I try to leave my best on court and for the moment this week it’s not bad.”