Berrettini overcome late niggle in Kitz

Weekend Gstaad titleholder Matteo Berrettini kept his winning momentum alive as he overcame a hiccup while serving for victory but made repairs to advance into the quarter-finals at the ATP event in Kitzbuehel.

The Italian from flatland Rome continued his hot streak in the Alps after his Swiss title last week – his second in Gstaad – with the No. 50 upsetting second seed Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) on Wednesday.

Berrettini won his seventh match in a row and his eighth consecutive breaker stretching back a fortnight as he reached the last eight at this World Cup ski venue.

The Italian amassed a set and 5-2 lead but was unable to close out victory as he served for it leading 5-3.

Canadian-born Tabilo who switched nationalities to Chile managed to steer the second set into a tiebreaker, which Berrettini finished off for victory in his third match point.

“I was confident with my level,” the winner said as he continues a rapid return from injury over the past two seasons..

“”I served exceptionally well – except when I was trying to close it out. I’m happy with how I held my nerve in the (second) tiebreaker.

“I was pretty focused and did the right things in the right moments.

“I’m enjoying every chance to play. I’m feeling healthy and fighting for matches  after so many months. I’m looking forward to my next match,” he said after advancing in an hour and three-quarters.

Berrettini ended with 15 aces and converted on one of his six break points late in the second set.