Berrettini conquers Van de Zandschulp on Day 1 in Tokyo

Can Matteo Berrettini become just the second player in 2024 to win four or more ATP Tour titles this week at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships?

The Italian made a impressive start in Tokyo on Wednesday, when he hustled past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4 under a closed roof to advance to the second round.

"When I saw that I had to play a qualifier, I knew it would have been tough," Berrettini said after his one hour and 30 minute triumph. "I think the centre court is a little bit slower, so I don't mind it, I can use the spin a little bit. The serve was working well today, I think [the court] suits my game and hopefully I am going to have a good run."

Fresh off a statement upset win over Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, the Dutchman constituted a tricky path to navigate, but Berrettini was able to nullify any threat. The Italian, who is No. 45 in the PIF ATP Rankings, struck 22 winners according to Infosys ATP Stats on his way to a hard-fought victory.

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At the ATP 500 event in Tokyo, the 28-year-old was able to display his most ruthless tennis, extending his 2024 record against lower-ranked players to 15-0 as well as his Lexus ATP Head2Head series to 4-0 over van de Zandschulp.

The former World No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings joins Jannik Sinner (6) and Alcaraz (3) as the only men to have claimed three or more ATP Tour titles in 2024, having lifted trophies on clay in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel.

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Berrettini was ousted in the second round of the US Open last month to the eventual finalist Taylor Fritz but is returning to the ATP Tour in a bid to finish the season with a flourish, establishing himself among the contenders to go deep on his debut in Tokyo.

In the second round, he could face the American in his second successive tournament if No. 1 seed Fritz is able to get past #NextGenATP star Arthur Fils in his opener on Thursday.

In the first match of the day, Mariano Navone defeated Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-4 to record his second Tour-level win on hard courts, with the other 15 coming on his favoured clay. The Argentinian won 75 percent of first-serve points and saved eight from nine break points (89 percent) en route to a well-earned triumph.

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