A blockbuster matchup awaits in the second round of the 2024 US Open, with former major finalist Matteo Berrettini taking on top-ranked American Taylor Fritz.
This year's draw was unfortunate for both of these players because they will have to face each other. Neither of them wanted to play this match, but they will have to in the second round of the US Open, and it's a fascinating matchup.
Berrettini hasn't played much this year, but he's looked amazing when he did. The Italian has won three trophies, even though all of them came on clay. Fritz has had a mediocre year so far without any major results.
The American has been on a solid level for a while but hasn't taken that next step. It should come on the Grand Slam level, but he didn't do it last year. So far this year, it hasn't happened either, especially after he was stunned by Lorenzo Musetti at Wimbledon.
This year's US Open is a solid chance, but he needs to win this match. His first match was an easy win, even though he had a shaky start. Still, he beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli in three sets.
The Italian also had a slow start but stabilized as time went on, also needing only three sets against Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Head-to-head:
Funnily enough, it hasn't been a very good matchup for Berrettini, who faced Fritz three times so far and lost all three times. All of those matches happened on hard courts.
The first match was played indoors, while the second meeting was at Indian Wells, a fairly slow hard court. Their most recent match happened at the United Cup last year, which was played on a decently fast court.
The American generally outplayed Berrettini on different hard courts. That bodes well for his chances at Flushing Meadows, but the hard court on which Berrettini plays his best tennis is in New York.
Style-wise, it should be a good matchup for Fritz if he could play his best tennis. The American is capable of demolition from both his forehand and backhand. His serve is also a major weapon, but Berrettini has a strong serve as well.
How Fritz returns will largely impact this matchup, and he's struggled with that. Sometimes, he tends to be too aggressive, which costs him some decent chances to break. With the way Berrettini has served, that won't be a good tactic because Fritz likely won't get too many chances to break.
| Matteo Berrettini | Taylor Fritz | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | H2H | 3 |
| 44 | Rank | 12 |
| 28 | Age | 26 |
| 22-6 | 2024 W/L | 39-16 |
| 178-92 | Career W/L | 270-183 |
Prediction:
While the Italian has looked sharp this year and generally loves playing in New York, losing all three matches he played against Fritz clearly indicates a matchup problem that is difficult to ignore. Playing at home in front of his fans will only boost Fritz more, and he should be able to win the match.
Prediction: Taylor Fritz to win in four sets.
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