Berrettini back in Stuttgart final; Will he defeat Draper for the title?

Matteo Berrettini is back in a big way.

In his first tournament since Monte-Carlo in April, the former No. 6 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is into the Stuttgart final. The Italian defeated countryman Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-0 Saturday to reach the championship match of the BOSS OPEN.

“When you win like this, it's better,” Berrettini said of his 66-minute victory. “You just burn less energy. I think I played enough during the week. So today, it was really good to play an hour and six minutes.”

The final is set in Stuttgart ?@boss__open | #BOSSOPEN pic.twitter.com/a1glBOt4um

Berrettini has thrived on grass throughout his career. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist has triumphed in Stuttgart twice before and is one win from claiming a hat-trick of crowns at the German ATP 250.

There were razor-thin margins in the first set. Musetti actually earned more break points in the opener (4-2), but did not convert any of his chances. Berrettini faced a 0/40 deficit when he served for the set at 5-4, but powered through to move within one set of victory.

Musetti then gifted him a break to begin the second set when he missed a high backhand volley. Berrettini surged to the finish line from there, converting four of his seven break points to triumph according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“Obviously, it's never easy when you play against a good friend like Lorenzo. We know each other pretty well,” Berrettini said. “Especially at the beginning, I think you could see there was a little bit of tension. But I was able to hold my nerves, especially when I served for the first set. And then after that I was feeling better and better and happy for the win.”

His next opponent, Jack Draper, will already become the new British No. 1 on Monday. Will he also enter the new week as a first-time ATP Tour champion?

The lefty is one win from earning his maiden trophy after cruising past 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF titlist Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-3 in 72 minutes.

The 22-year-old hit 13 aces and won 94 per cent of his first-serve points (31/33). He did not face a break point in the match.

Draper and former World No. 1 Andy Murray are the only British finalists in event history. At 22 years and five months, the lefty is set to become the youngest British No. 1 since Murray in November 2009.

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