Berrettini to face favourite Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals on Friday
Thursday 5 September 2019 15:18, UK
Matteo Berrettini became the first Italian to reach the US Open men's semi-finals since 1977 following a five-set slugfest against Gael Monfils on Wednesday.
Berrettini, the 24th seed, produced some massive hitting to battle to a lung-busting 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7-5) victory in sweltering conditions under the roof of Arthur Ashe.
The 23-year-old won an epic contest lasting a shade under four hours after taking his fifth match point to come out on top of a roller-coaster ride of an encounter.
"Right now I don't remember any points. Just the match point," said Berrettini, who lost here in the first round last year. "While I was playing I thought, this is one of the best matches I ever saw. I was playing, but I was watching also."
He served 15 aces and hit 53 winners, winning a gruelling match despite making 64 unforced errors. Monfils made 51 unforced errors and served 17 double faults.
Berrettini will now hope to go one better than his compatriot Corrado Barazzutti, who lost to Jimmy Connors at Forest Hills 42 years ago, when he takes on three-time champion Rafael Nadal for a place in the final.
Monfils took the defeat on the chin, knowing he will be at Flushing Meadows for at least one more day regardless.
"I wish I could win, but I love those matches no matter what," he said.
"You know, I'm proud of myself, and, you know, I will be happy to cheer for my girlfriend (Elina Svitolina) tomorrow."
