The Matteo Berrettini bulldozer continues to demolish everything in its path and on quarter-finals day it was his good friend, the young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was made to suffer on No.1 Court.
The Italian’s 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 success was his 10th consecutive grass court win and his 23rd victory in his last 26 completed matches. It earns the 25-year-old his second Grand Slam semi-final and his first at Wimbledon against Roger Federer’s conqueror - Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz - on Friday.
“I'm extremely happy for my win,” said the world No.9, who is the second Italian man in history to reach the semi-finals at the Championships and the first in the Open era.
“[I’m happy] for the fact that I'm through to the semis for the first time here in Wimby, for the fact that I really played a tough match, because I wasn't feeling, unbelievable good, especially after the first set.”
In hindsight, the tailend of a tight third set was where the match turned in Berrettini’s favour and once he’d edged a two sets to one advantage and had quickly built a 3-0 lead in the fourth he always looked the more likely winner.
Comparing his achievement to his first major semi-final in New York in 2019, the 6ft 5in Roman said that his form going into Wimbledon - he won his first ATP 500 title on grass at Queen’s prior to The Championships - meant his expectations were higher this time around.
“Stepping in this tournament, I knew that I could do it,” Berrettini said of his journey to the last four. “I know that also the run is not over. So it's different [to the US Open].
“Before this tournament I just felt that I'm a better player now. I have more experience. I had more matches on my shoulders. Everything that I am achieving, it's great, but it's not something that I didn't expect.”
The Italian revealed he’d spent the previous evening with his quarter-final opponent watching Italy’s narrow victory over Spain in the first semi-final of Euro 2020.
“It was such a nice time with Felix,” he said of his friendship with the world No.19 from Montreal. “I think it's so great to have such a relationship, and then we can just play our best during the match and respect each other.
“Also hanging out outside of the court is something that it's not that common and I really appreciate the fact that it's happening. Best of luck for him."
Many studying the bottom half of the draw might have predicted a Berrettini-Federer semi-final but instead the No.7 seed will face Hurkacz with both battling to reach a first Grand Slam final.
“Playing Hubert is going to be really tough. He beat Daniil [Medvedev], beat Roger in a row, and he's feeling good. He's having a great season so far, so it's gonna be tough one.”
Click here to join myWimbledon for a range of exclusive benefits, including access to tickets and the ability to personalise your digital experience with us.
Following along from home this year?
You can still experience the classic Wimbledon atmosphere on the Virtual Hill, presented by our Official Partner American Express.
Register now to visit and win daily prizes, including tickets to The Championships 2022.
