Matteo Berrettini is “ready” to take on the American Taylor Fritz, in the R2 of the 2024 US Open. The 28-year-old Italian missed quite a few tournaments last year due to a ruptured ligament. He was forced to retire in the middle of the R2 clash last time at the same tournament. However, since making a comeback this year, he has looked quite impressive and has already won three titles so far this season. Can he cause a major upset on the American solid by defeating Fritz in his next match?

Taylor Fritz vs Matteo Berrettini: Preview

Taylor Fritz has made quite a few deep runs into the tournaments this year. Out of three previous major tournaments in this season, he has reached the QF twice. In the French Open, he was defeated by Casper Ruud in the R4. However, his overall performance has been quite impressive so far. He has already won two titles in 2024 (the Delray Beach Open and the Eastbourne International). Here in this tournament, he started his campaign with a 7-5,6-1,6-2 victory over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

Matteo Berrettini, on the other hand, won titles at the Grand Prix Hassan II, the Swiss Open, and the Austrian Open Kitzbuhel. Berrettini defeated Albert Ramos Vinolas (Spain) by 7-6(2),6-2,6-3 in the R1. So, we can see from here that both the players seem to be in quite a good touch at the moment. This match has all the ingredients of going down to the wire, but what were the results in their previous meetings?

Fritz vs Berrettini: Head-to-Head

Taylor Fritz has played against Matteo Berrettini thrice in his career so far. It has been a one-sided battle as of now, with Fritz winning all three of their matches. However, with the form the Italian has been in this season, we can surely expect some fight in their fourth meeting.

• 2019 Davis Cup Finals Round Robin: Fritz 5-7,7-6(5),6-2.
• 2021 Indian Wells Masters R32: Fritz 6-4,6-3.
• 2023 United Cup Final: Fritz 7-6(4),7-6(6).

Prediction: Fritz to win in five sets

Clash of two former Top 10 players! Taylor Fritz’s best record at the US Open was reaching the QF in the 2023 season. However, Berrettini reached the SF of the 2019 US Open. So, we can say they clearly know how to bring out their A-games on this surface. Fritz looked quite sharp in the first match, so with a jam-packed stadium we can expect the American to be having a last laugh in the R2 as well. He currently has a win-loss record of 37-16, whereas Berrettini has a win-loss record of 22-7.

Even in the ranking, Fritz (12) is thirty-two places above Berrettini (44) at the moment. So, clearly, we can see the 26-year-old American tennis star having an edge with these stats. Now, if we look at their playing styles, Fritz is more of an offensive baseliner. He loves to hit powerful and penetrating groundstrokes to force errors out of his opponents. He has a strong and consistent forehand, and even with his flat, low-bouncing backhands, he can put Berrettini into some real trouble on this surface.

However, Fritz’s biggest strength is his serve and if we take a look at the numbers, Fritz has hit 538 aces so far this season. Apart from all this, his incredible topspin lobs are truly a bliss to watch! Matteo Berrettini also has an aggressive style of play, which comprises similar venomous serves and strong forehands. He can dictate rallies with his heavy topspin forehands and can produce backhand slices to keep the ball low for his opponents.

Matteo Berrettini loves setting up quick points and hitting winners to put pressure on his opponents. However, his biggest weak point is his defensive game and at times he is seen struggling a bit with his footwork as well. Although the Italian has won one more title than Fritz in this season, still Fritz looks more likely to get the better of him in home conditions.