Dubai, Berrettini makes no mistake on debut: Monfils beaten in two sets, now O'Connell

Matteo Berrettini is a hammer that never stops hitting. The new world number 30 arrives in Dubai after the efforts of Doha, where he reached the first semifinal of 2025, and he doesn't make any mistakes at the start. In his debut in the 500 tournament, he beats Gael Monfils for the fourth time in four direct clashes: 7-5 6-4 in one hour and 23 minutes of play. Matteo hits with serve and forehand, puts on a great show with some drop shots and thus conquers the round of 16. Christopher O'Connell awaits him, who enjoys a few more hours of rest than his next opponent. The Australian, in fact, took advantage of Grigor Dimitrov's retirement in the first round after winning the first set 6-0.

Service and power are the two keys to this match. When one of the two is missing, the real problems begin. At 1-1 30-30, Monfils commits the first double fault of the match and gives away break points: Berrettini doesn't need to be asked twice and takes the lead in the first set. Five games later, Matteo is having trouble with his service. He goes down 0-40, recovers with two excellent forehands but gives the counter-break to the Frenchman. A parity that proves to be ephemeral. The two are no longer able to hold their service game, but it is Matteo who comes out on top: he fails the first time, but on the second occasion he goes to serve for the set he doesn't miss and thus closes 7-5. The second set is more balanced: the Roman tennis player grinds out winners with his forehand, Gael puts on a show with his jump shots. It is Matteo again, who doesn't offer any break points in this set, who steals his opponent's service. He flies to 4-3. taking advantage of some ankle discomfort for Monfils, and he held the lead until the end, closing out as he knows how: serve, forehand and run to the net.