Matteo Berrettini reveals fearless gameplan to secure a memorable three-set win against Alexander Zverev

Matteo Berrettini has ensured his compatriot Jannik Sinner stays World No.1 until the end of the Rome Masters.

Matteo Berrettini reveals fearless gameplan to secure a memorable three-set win against Alexander Zverev

Matteo Berrettini (via X)

Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini has shared key insights into his impressive comeback win against top seed Alexander Zverev at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters. It was the former Wimbledon finalist’s first career win over a top-2 ranked player.

Berrettini said he had a fearless game plan going into the match. Despite Zverev’s high level, the Davis Cup winner believes his aggressive mindset was the key to winning such a close contest.

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The game plan was the same. I just changed my attitude. I wasn’t hitting the forehand and the serve the same way I was in the previous days. I had to adjust to the conditions. I have to say, Sascha was playing unbelievable. Really deep. Returning a lot. It wasn’t easy. I switched a bit mentally. I told myself to be more aggressive. If I had to lose this match, I had to do the right things. Being aggressive. That’s how I changed a bit. Luckily it worked.

Matteo Berrettini said in his post-match interview

Italian tennis is thriving right now, and Berrettini has added more success to the nation’s achievements. With Jannik Sinner as World No. 1, Jasmine Paolini making progress on the WTA Tour, and Lorenzo Musetti winning an Olympic bronze medal last year, Berrettini had seemed like yesterday’s news after his career-threatening injury in 2023.

However, his comeback in 2024 helped Italy defend their Davis Cup title. This year, Berrettini already has major wins against Novak Djokovic and now Zverev.

Matteo Berrettini stuns Alexander Zverev

Matteo Berrettini scored a huge win on Tuesday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. He beat World No. 2 Alexander Zverev 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling match. It was one of the biggest victories of his career based on the ATP rankings.

Matteo Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini (via X)

Playing on Court Rainier III, Berrettini gave a strong performance. He reached the third round in Monte Carlo for just the second time. This win also improved his head-to-head record against Zverev to 3-4.

The match was full of drama. Berrettini failed to close it out at 5-4 but fought back. At 5-5, he won a long 48-shot rally with a forehand winner and broke Zverev’s serve soon after. He then served out the match with confidence.

Berrettini has been in great form on clay. He has won 17 of his last 18 matches on the surface. Last year, he claimed clay titles in Marrakech, Gstaad, and Kitzbuhel. He also beat Mariano Navone in the first round this week.

Alexander Zverev’s World No.1 dream shattered

Alexander Zverev’s chance to become world No. 1 before Jannik Sinner’s return is now gone. He was beaten in his first match at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters. Matteo Berrettini came from behind to win 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the second round.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (via X)

This win is Berrettini’s biggest by ranking. It was his 11th career win over a top-10 player. The match was played on Court Rainier III, where the Italian showed great fight to take down the world No. 2.

Zverev has been struggling since losing to Sinner in the Australian Open final. That tournament was Sinner’s only appearance in 2025 before serving a three-month doping ban. With Sinner out, Zverev had a real chance to reach the top of the rankings.

But Zverev couldn’t take that chance. He now has a 6-6 record since January. In the six events during Sinner’s ban, he lost in the first round twice and didn’t get past the quarter-finals. His latest defeat in Monte Carlo means he can no longer pass Sinner before the Italian Open.