Post-victory drama as Berrettini goes down with cramps

Matteo Berrettini produced a first-round win at the Indian Wells Masters before falling to the court with cramps which required treatment on the scene.

The Italian who played the Wimbledon final in 2021, advanced in California 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 over France’s Adrian Mannarino.

But after clinching victory, he collapsed in pain as a trainer dealt with the health issue for around five minutes before Berrettini was able to leave the court.

He limped into a match with fourth seed Alexander Zverev, where trails 3-4 in the career series.

“I fought really hard, until the very last point. At the beginning of the third, I started to feel a little bit of cramping,” the winner said.

“I was a little bit surprised at the beginning but then I remembered that I was sick until three days ago, so I was like, ‘Okay, it’s normal’.”

France got a win through Gael Monfils, as the veteran set to retire at season’s end defeated Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 6-4.

Monfils becomes the second-oldest match winner at age 39 to score a victory here after 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic in 2019.