Matteo Berrettini proved he is the nightmare draw for Wimbledon’s seeds after pulverising Alex De Minaur in straight sets.
Italian Berrettini, the runner-up in 2021, missed last year’s Championships with coronavirus and has endured an injury-hit season, meaning he was unable to defend his Queen’s Club title in the build-up to the Championships.
Having slipped down the rankings to 37, Berrettini is unseeded at SW19, but he showed his grass-court pedigree by dispatching Australian 15th seed De Minaur, who reached the Queen’s final this year, 6-3 6-4 6-4.
“Last year, what happened last year is something that I think it didn’t heal yet. It’s a really sharp pain, if I think about it,” he said.
“I probably was in the best shape in my career, especially feeling great on grass. I wanted to enjoy the tournament. Such a special tournament for me.
“Not being able to play was something that, even when I was better physically, was really tough mentally to overcome.
“That’s why I’m here this year, because I missed last year. I was really sad. Even playing like a few points would have been good this year.
“That’s why I’m really happy. I’m really glad. I know it’s the third round, but it feels like way more.”
Third seed Daniil Medvedev wasted little time finishing off his match against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
The Russian was angry when play was suspended on Thursday evening while he led by two sets with the score at 4-4 in the third.
Medvedev returned to Court Two and duly completed a 6-3 6-3 7-6 (5) victory to set up a third-round meeting with Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.
“It’s not easy to play two different days. The last time I had it, I lost to (Hubert) Hurkacz here two years ago,” he said.
“At 4-4, it’s never easy. Straight away you’re nervous, you don’t want to lose this set because the momentum of the match can change.
“So I’m happy that I managed to close it out on the tie-break. Happy that I managed to push it through and be here tomorrow.”
