Seventh seed Matteo Berrettini crashed out of the French Open after a surprising 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 defeat to German qualifier Daniel Altmaier in the third round on Saturday.
The Italian, who made the semi-final of the US Open last year, has not been able to go past the third round at the clay-court Grand Slam.
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“Pretty upset. I was really feeling bad on the court. I’m feeling bad now,” said the 24-year-old after going down to the 186-ranked Altmaier.
“I didn’t play well in the big stage. It’s painful. But I guess that’s tennis. For me, I felt the conditions were pretty heavy. I tried to fight. I tried to play with what I had, but wasn’t enough. I think he really deserved the win.”
On debut on the biggest stage.
See how @daniel_altmaier secured his spot in the R16 in Paris 👇#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/l6uoS7mAF1
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 3, 2020
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“It’s my first time on this court and playing in Paris, I’m delighted to be in the fourth round,” the 22-year-old German said after scripting a memorable win on Court Philippe-Chatrier. He had defeated Feliciano Lopez and 30th seed Jan-Lennard Struff in the previous rounds.
“Before qualifying, I was struggling with an injury, so I wasn’t sure I was going to play. I hope the crowd and the TV audience enjoyed watching, as I want to entertain.”
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In the Round of 16, Altmaier will take on US Open semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta, who defeated fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 on Saturday.
Tsitsipas sets up Dimitrov clash
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov set up a blockbuster fourth round clash after their respective opponents retired with injury.
Fifth seed Tsitsipas was leading 6-1, 6-2, 3-1 when Aljaz Bedene, who received on-court treatment for a right foot injury, retired after 80 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
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Meanwhile, Dimitrov, the No 18 seed, was leading Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1, 6-3 when the Spaniard withdrew due to illness.
“At 3 a.m. I woke up with a pain in my stomach and feeling so bad,” said Carballos Baena, who had defeated Denis Shapovalov in five hours in the previous round. “Then I warmed up this morning. I was feeling better. But after the warm-up, I was sick again two times. It was tough.”
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Tsitsipas, who will face Dimitrov for the first time, said, “Being able to compete in a second week gives me a lot of confidence. It feels great. You feel like you’re part of a prestige.”
Team Tsitsipas is growing…@Ons_Jabeur joins the Tsitsi-Mask club!@StefTsitsipas #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/HOXGKs5K0v
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 3, 2020
Jabeur sends Sabalenka packing
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the fourth round of the French Open as she beat eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7), 2-6, 6-3.
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The 30th seed displayed her trademark court craft to undermine Sabalenka’s raw power as she surpassed her previous best third round showing at Roland Garros in 2017.
, 6-4 defeat to German qualifier Daniel Altmaier in the third round){kind=link}