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Matteo Berrettini survives Gael Monfils comeback to win five-set thriller and reach Australian Open semi-finals

uche amako
·19 min read
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Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini live score australian open 2022 - REUTERS
Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini live score australian open 2022 - REUTERS

Matteo Berrettini is the first Italian man to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open after withstanding a comeback from Gael Monfils to win a five-set thriller 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2.

The 25-year-old, who reached last year's final at Wimbledon, will face 20-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal on Friday for a place in Sunday's final at the Rod Laver Arena.

Berrettini looked to be cruising towards a third straight win over Monfils after winning the first two sets but the 35-year-old former world number six forced a deciding set by showing great resilience and his trademark athleticism.

After an intense contest of three hours and 49 minutes and with the clock closing in on 1 am local time in Melbourne, the 25-year-old Italian sealed the win on his third match point when Monfils found the net with a forehand.

"It feels unbelievable. I'm really happy for myself," he said afterward. "What a great fight again against Gael. A great match, lot of emotions. I thought I had him in the third and then I found myself in the fifth.

"I really fought hard and I put everything on court. That's what I said to myself. And that's why I'm really happy."

With emotions high, umpire James Keothavong was forced to intervene to calm the crowd and some fans in the crowd were asked to leave by stewards.

Berrettini said: "It is full of people, I like it - some of them are not really tennis fans I think, but it is what it is, you cannot control everybody. To be respectful is something you have to do anyway. It's fine, I win and I'm happy."

Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini live score australian open 2022 - AFP
Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini live score australian open 2022 - AFP

In his press conference, Monfils was left to rue another missed opportunity at a major event.

"It's been always tough for me," he said. "It's still tough for me, but somehow I'm not losing the faith. I need one time. I don't need, you know, to -- I won't win 20, but one time, just one time I need.

"I'm working for this. I still believe I can do it. It's hard. You know, it's been 20 years that I'm not doing the good thing, but who knows? This year it might click."

02:11 PM

That's all folks

Thanks for joining us as always. It has been a dramatic day in Melbourne. But join us again for the remaining quarter-finals in both draws.

For Berrettini, he will be back on court on Friday to face Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.

01:54 PM

The winning moment for Berrettini

01:45 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 2-6 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Back-to-back unforced errors by Monfils puts Berrettini two points away from victory.

Berrettini act, three match points. Monfils saves the first after Berrettini nets a backhand.

Another backhand error by Berrettini. Nerves?

GAME>SET>MATCH. Berrettini wins after Monfils nets a forehand. What a match.

01:39 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 2-5 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Three aces in a row from Monfils. Then a double fault. And then another ace to finish.

Berrettini will serve for a place in the semi-finals next.

01:38 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 1-5 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini moves a game away from the semi-finals with a drop volley winner and a hold to 15. Will take something remarkable for Berrettini to lose this now.

01:36 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 1-4 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils finally gets on the board in this set after four consecutive unforced errors by Berrettini.

01:29 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 0-4 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils jars his ankle chasing a ball and hobbles away but he seems OK to continue. Clever serve by Berrettini and volley put away, 40-15.

Brilliant finish to the game as Berrettini slides to his right to hit an angled forehand winner.

01:26 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 0-3 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Berrettini's forehand is coming into play again and he bullies Monfils from the back of the court to finish with a forehand winner, 0-15.

Another dominant rally and Monfils puts a defensive forehand into the net, 15-30. Monfils backhand long, 15-40, two break points.

Monfils hits two of his biggest shots but Berrettini get them both back in play and Monfils nets a forehand to fall a double break down.

01:21 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 0-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils' game has disappeared at this stage of the set. Making too many errors. Another forehand mistake makes it 40-0.

And Berrettini holds after a big unreturned first serve.

01:17 PM

Fifth set: Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 0-1 Berrettini (*denotes server)

What a shot. Monfils hits a shot backhand, Berrettini lobs him, Monfils responds with a tweener but Berrettini puts away the volley. Break point.

Saved by Monfils as Berrettini makes an unforced error. Monfils forehand just wide, second break point.

Monfils forehand error and Berrettini break. Huge roar by the Italian.

01:07 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils continues to rip forehand winners to the frustration of Berrettini. Set point Monfils after Berrettini hits a forehand long.

Just a third backhand winner of the match for Berrettini and what a time for it. Back to deuce.

It is now past midnight in Melbourne and the end doesn't look in sight as Berrettini puts a terrible backhand volley long. Second set point.

Serve and volley by Berrettini and he comes up trumps again with a deft volley. But he then casually nets a drop shot. Third set point.

Saved by Berrettini with a 156km/h forehand winner. Fourth set point after another Berrettini error but Monfils can't get his return back in play.

Berrettini backhand long, fifth set point. Monfils finally gets it done as Berrettini nets a backhand.

What a comeback.

12:55 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 5-3 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils is getting 60 per cent of first serves in play, winning 83 per cent of those points and winning 75 per cent of second serve points. It means he's lost just four points on serve in this set so far.

It has been a serving masterclass.

12:50 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 4-3 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Second double fault by Berrettini makes it 40-15. But he holds with an unreturned first serve. Still down a break though.

12:47 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 4-2 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils is red lining at the moment. He can't miss and Berrettini has no real answer to the 35-year-old Frenchman.

He holds to 15 to consolidate the break.

12:44 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 3-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Poor forehand dumped into the net by Berrettini, 0-30. Now it is the Italian looking a bit tired. Monfils nets a backhand. Then nets a backhand return. Two bad shots. Big point coming down though.

Monfils return long, 40-30. Great hustle by Monfils to take advantage of a sloppy volley by Berrettini and he fires a backhand down the line for a winner.

Stunning inside out forehand by Monfils, break point. Monfils forehand winner down the line, Berrettini can't believe it. Unbelievable shot.

12:37 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 2-2 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Both players are rattling through their service games at the moment. Monfils holds to love.

12:34 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 1-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini races to 40-0. Two trade forehands again before Monfils cracks one down the line for his 13th of the match.

Berrettini responds with an ace to hold.

12:31 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 1-1 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils is starting to break down Berrettini's backhand and is getting rewarded. A backhand into the net by Berrettini allows Monfils to hold to 30.

12:27 PM

Fourth set: Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils is absolutely crushing the ball right now. He hits a 164km/h forehand winner to make it 40-30.

And the game does to deuce after Berrettini slices a backhand long. One of the rallies of the match ends with Monfils hitting a 161km/h forehand winner. Break point.

Timely unreturned first serve for Berrettini. Then an ace. And he holds after another unreturned first serve. Three first serves in a row, three consecutive points.

12:17 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 Berrettini (*denotes server)

An ace to start the game by Monfils. He then dominates the rally and Berrettini's defensive forehand goes into the net. Berrettini drop shot into the net. Three set points.

Berrettini saves the first. But not the second as Monfils drills a forehand winner into the corner. Game on.

12:15 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 5-3 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini rediscovers his first serve to hold to 15 and force Monfils to serve for the set. Can he do it?

12:11 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 5-2 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils ace, 30-0. The crowd are fully with him now. Back to back forehand errors by Berrettini and Monfils is a game away from the set.

12:09 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 4-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini shanks a forehand, 0-30. Big moment for Monfils. Even bigger first serve by the Italian 7th seed.

Berrettini forehand into the tramlines, two break points for Monfils. On the first he hits a forehand return off a second serve. Bad shot that.

He gets another look at a second serve and Berrettini double faults. Wow. What a time for it. Monfils breaks for the first time.

12:03 PM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 3-2 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Routine and speedy hold to love for Monfils . Can he find a way past Berrettini's serve to perserve his Australian Open dreams?

12:01 PM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 2-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils on the attack. He drags Berrettini left and right and finishes with a forehand winner. A lot more energy to Monfils.

But he then nets a backhand, 15-30. Berrettini forehand into the net, 30-40. Big first serve by Berrettini at a huge moment, deuce.

Berrettini comes through another tricky service game.

11:55 AM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 2-1 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Too good from Berrettini to work the point and hammer a cross court forehand for a winner, 30-30. Big point coming up.

Monfils is tight and it shows as he hits a forehand into the net, break point. Monfils forehand winner.

Monfils forehand down the line is just out. He's trying to hit his way through his issue. Break point.

Saved again by an unreturned serve. Another Monfils error, third break point.

Big backhand by Monfils and Berrettini nets a defensive backhand. This was a must hold game for Monfils and he gets it with an aggressive point which ends with a volley winner.

11:47 AM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini has killed Monfils today with the wide side on the deuce side. Bemusing how he hasn't recognised that tactic yet.

He then screams "No, Gael no" after shanking a backhand wide. And Berrettini holds with an unreturned serve. The Italian is yet to be broken today.

11:41 AM

Third set: Monfils* 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils starts a must-win set with a hold to 15. He has to find a way to slow Berrettini down because at the moment he can't quite handle the Italian's firepower.

11:33 AM

Monfils 4-6, 4-6 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils forehand long, 30-0. Monfils forehand return goes wide, 40-0. Three set points.

Berrettini is a set away from the semi-finals after Monfils nets a forehand.

11:31 AM

Monfils* 4-6, 4-5 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Body language isn't the best from Monfils but he quickly moves to 40-0 and holds when Berrettini puts a backhand return wide.

Berrettini will serve next for a two sets to love lead.

11:28 AM

Monfils 4-6, 3-5 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Monfils is a bit flat at the moment and it is showing in his tennis. Berrettini moves to 30-0 with an ace.

Berrettini puts up a lob and Monfils nets the overhead. Poor footwork there, 40-0.

Berrettini holds to 15 and consolidates the break.

11:24 AM

Monfils* 4-6, 3-4 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Sloppy start to the game by Monfils, he's put himself in a tricky spot, 0-30. But Berrettini lets him off with two unforced errors of his own.

Monfils backhand error brings up a break point. Huge Berrettini forehand and Monfils can handle the pace and he shanks a forehand wide.

Berrettini breaks!

11:20 AM

Monfils 4-6, 3-3 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Back-to-back easy service holds after the drama of the fourth game of this set.

Berrettini holds to 15.

11:15 AM

Monfils* 4-6, 3-2 Berrettini (*denotes server)

The level of this match is SO high right now. Berrettini drills a backhand winner down the line to start the game. But Monfils hits back with his serve to lead 30-15. And he cracks another backhand up the line for a winner to hold.

11:12 AM

Monfils 4-6, 2-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Chance for Monfils now. Berrettini first nets a tame forehand, then volleys into the net - 0-30.

A lengthy rally ends with Monfils going long with a forehand. Berrettini backhand into the net, 15-40.

Excellent point by Berrettini ends with a forehand winner, Monfils was a bit too passive. Berrettini serve and volley, his first of the match, and it works. Snuck up on Monfils big time. Deuce.

Berrettini runs around his backhand to hit a forehand down the line but misses. Break point Monfils.

Berrettini ace, deuce. Monfils nets a forehand, poor shot in truth.

Berrettini volley winner and a fist pump to his support box. Monfils looks to be on the back foot and defensive but he responds by flicking a cross court backhand for a winner.

Point of the match as Monfils refuses to be beaten and Berrettini can't put the ball away. He gets another ball back over the net and Berrettini directs his volley long.

Amazing hands at the net by Berrettini to withstand a barrage of groundstrokes from Monfils and hit a volley winner.

Deuce No 10 as Berrettini nets a tired looking forehand. He has spent five more hours on court than Monfils.

And after 20min 12secs, Berrettini completes the longest game of the match with a big first serve that's unreturned.

10:49 AM

Monfils* 4-6, 2-1 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils opens the game with another double fault. But he comes out on top in a forehand vs forehand battle to lead 30-15.

Monfils ace, 40-15. Monfils backhand winner and that's a more comfortable service hold for him.

10:46 AM

Monfils 4-6, 1-1 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Clever backhand slice down the line by Berrettini completely deceives Monfils, 30-0. Such dynamic movement by Berrettini to move to his right and hammer a cross court forehand winner, 40-0.

Monfils pulls it back to 40-30 after consecutive errors from Berrettini. But the Italian comes through with another forehand bomb.

10:40 AM

Second set: Monfils* 4-6, 1-0 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils misses with what should have been an easy volley, 15-30. He then goes long with a forehand, two break points.

Monfils saves the first as he gets Berrettini on the run and then the second with a slower but well placed serve.

Berrettini forehand return winner. Break point. Saved again by a good Monfils first serve.

Longest game of the match so far. Too good from Monfils to run around his backhand and whips a forehand down the line.

Berrettini nets a backhand and Monfils holds. That could be an important game in the context of this match.

10:32 AM

Monfils 4-6 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini's nickname is the 'Hammer' and it has been very obvious why today. He powers his way to 30-0. But then goes for too much on the forehand, 30-15.

Better point by Monfils, showing patience and testing Berrettini's backhand, 30-30. Wowzers, incredible backhand up the line from Monfils on the stretch. Break point.

Berrettini ace, his fourth of the set, deuce. Berrettini ace, 216km/h down the T. Set point.

Blistering forehand winner by Monfils after Berrettini puts too much air on his backhand slice. Big Berrettini first serve brings up a 2nd set point.

And he gets it when Monfils puts a defensive forehand long. Big time tennis from the Italian.

10:24 AM

Monfils* 4-5 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils double fault makes it 15-15. Monfils looks rushed by Berrettini and he makes another error on his backhand, 15-30.

Back-to-back big serves for Monfils coming at a great time, 40-30. And he holds when Berrettini nets a forehand.

The Italian to serve for the opening set next.

10:21 AM

Monfils 3-5 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini 191km/h ace to start the game. Berrettini is striking the ball so well of the forehand. Another one wrong foots Monfils as he slips over, 40-0.

Berrettini forehand winner to hold. He's dropped just three points on serve so far. Can Monfils weather this storm?

10:17 AM

Monfils* 3-4 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Berrettini is standing right on the baseline and hammering the ball. Monfils can't match him for speed at this point in the match.

Wow. Another jaw dropping Berrettini forehand winner, 15-30. Insame racket head speed. Timely forehand winner for Monfils.

Berrettini backhand flies long, 40-30. And Monfils holds to stay in the match. A bit fo resilience there from the Frenchman.

10:14 AM

Monfils 2-4 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Berrettini ace, 30-0. Berrettini forehand winner. Monfils forehand error.

Really impressive start by Berrettini.

10:11 AM

Monfils* 2-3 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils goes long with a forehand to open the game. Then hits a double fault. Class from Berrettini as he goes on the attack with the forehand and finishes with a short volley winner. Triple break point.

Monfils forehand long, Berrettini breaks. Very loose service game by Monfils.

10:08 AM

Monfils 2-2 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Ridiculous athleticism from Monfils to track down a Berrettini drop shot and flick a forehand down the line, 0-15.

Booom. Monfils forehand return winner off Berrettini's second serve, 30-30. Berrettini forehand winner, 40-30.

And another forehand winner allows Berrettini to hold.

10:03 AM

Monfils* 2-1 Berrettini (*denotes server)

Berrettini forehand winner, 15-15. Have a feeling I'll be saying that a lot today. For Monfils to get any joy today, attacking Berrettini's backhand will be key and a couple errors from the Italian allows the French 17th seed to hold.

10:00 AM

Monfils 1-1 Berrettini* (*denotes server)

Nice from Monfils as he drills a forehand winner down the line past the advancing Berrettini, 0-15.

Berrettini's big serve comes to the fore to make it 40-15 and he finishes the game with an ace.

09:57 AM

First set: Gael Monfils* 1-0 Matteo Berrettini (*denotes server)

Monfils starts the match with a forehand winner. And he holds to 15 when Berrettini puts a forehand long.

09:54 AM

Berrettini leads head-to-head 2-0

Can Monfils finally get on the board against the Italian?

09:47 AM

Here we go...

... Monfils and Berrettini walk onto court for their showdown.

09:29 AM

Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini: preview

Hello and welcome to coverage of the second match of the night session on day nine of the Australian Open between Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini.

Gael Monfils's blistering start to the season continued on Sunday as he eased past Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 7-5 7-6(4) 6-3 to reach his second Australian Open quarter-finals.

With wife and top women's player Elina Svitolina beaming in the crowd, the flamboyant Frenchman lit up the Margaret Court Arena with sparkling shot-making to reach the last eight at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2016.

"It was really tough, he played extremely fast on both sides," said 17th seed Monfils. "I tried to be very aggressive today ... It was just battling, battling, hanging in there."

Monfils wrapped up the match with trademark panache, leaping high to thump a backhand crosscourt winner and end Kecmanovic's dream run since the Serb avoided a first-round clash against the deported world number one Novak Djokovic.

At 35 and recently married, Monfils has a new lease on life, and wants to go even further in the tournament.

"I want to do better .... We are not quite finished yet," he said.

Monfils will take on world number seven Matteo Berrettini for a semi-final spot after the Italian defeated Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets.

Monfils suffered a defeat in a five-set contest against Berrettini in their last Grand Slam meeting at the 2019 U.S. open quarter-finals.

"Matteo, a lot of confidence for last two years," Monfils said of Berrettini, who is nicknamed "The Hammer" on the tour for his thumping forehands.

"He played extremely aggressive, big serve, flashy tennis with the forehand.

"Last time I played him, I was a little bit, whatever you call it, unlucky or not. It was very tight, five-setter in quarters in a slam."