Andy Murray says Matteo Berrettini has had a “bit of an unlucky year” but he is expecting a really difficult match when he meets the Italian at the US Open.
On Wednesday, Murray defeated 203rd-ranked Emilio Nava 5-7 6-3 6-1 6-0 to progress into the US Open third round.
There, Murray will meet Berrettini, who defeated him in the Stuttgart final two and a half months ago.
“He’s had a bit of an unlucky year, to be honest,” said Murray of Berrettini. “I know he got Covid at the beginning of Wimbledon having just won Stuttgart and Queens back-to-back. I think it was a wrist injury he had so he missed pretty much the whole of the clay season as well this year, but when he has been on the court he’s done really, really well. We played in the Stuttgart final, a tough three-set match, so I’m expecting it to be really difficult, but if I play well and my return is on point then I’ve got a good chance.”
Murray aiming to end his losing streak versus Berrettini
Going into the match, Berrettini owns a 2-1 head-to-head record versus Murray.
When Murray and Berrettini clashed for the first time in 2019 Beijing, Murray claimed a straight-set win.
A year ago at the Queen’s Club, Berrettini ousted Murray in straight sets.
This summer, Berrettini won the third meeting between him and Murray.
In the Stuttgart final, Murray had a bad luck of injuring his abdomen.
Murray was able to finish the final but couldn’t overcome the injury and a difficult opponent as Berrettini won in three sets 6-4 5-7 6-3.
After losing the last two matches versus Berrettini, Murray will certainly be motivated to get a bit of a revenge and beat the Italian.
Murray, 35, has made a Grand Slam third round for the first time this season.
It remains to be seen if Murray can beat Berrettini and reach the US Open second week.