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Berrettini finds himself in Rio, Darderi’s run comes to an immediate halt

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Good news is coming from the Rio Open 500. In particular, for Berrettini who, returning to play the Brazilian tournament after four years of absence, won, at the opener, the challenge with Chilean Barrios Vera, number 107 in the ranking, with a score of 7-6, 7-5. A real marathon, which lasted almost two and a half hours, in which the Roman tennis player fought with great determination, taking home a very important victory for his morale.

Fabrizio PonciroliJannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini, surprise workout with a special guest

Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini share a genuine friendship cemented especially by their intense experiences in Davis Cup.
It was there that the pact to conquer the legendary Salad Bowl together was born, a goal that became a reality with the 2024 triumph.
Therefore, it is no coincidence that the two blues found themselves in Dubai to train side by side in the preparation phase for the new season.
Sinner, unlike Berrettini, chose to forgo the Davis commitment to give himself an extra week of rest.
The Roman, for his part, can look forward to the future with the enthusiasm stemming from the recent victory in Bologna.
From the footage circulated on social it emerges a training conducted at a very high pace.
Great intensity in the exchanges and special attention to athletic condition.
Also capturing the attention was the presence, alongside Alessandro Bega, Berrettini’s coach, of former Swedish top 10 Thomas Enqvist.
A name often juxtaposed with Sinner in the role of possible super coach.
Is this the beginning of a concrete collaboration? Only time will tell whether this relationship will continue into 2026.
If the feeling between the Italian tennis player and Enqvist will be such that it will turn into a long-term technical project.

Passaro is also smiling. Readmitted to the main draw after Muller forfeited, the Italian played a very solid match against Croatian Prizmic, winning 6-3, 6-4. During the match, there was also an electrical blackout that led to the’interruption of the match. Good job Passaro did not lose concentration and brought home the valuable win. In the round of 16 he will face Tabilo, number 68 in the ATP rankings.

Ends in the first round, however, the adventure in Rio de Janeiro of Darderi. The Italian, number 2 seed on the draw, struggled against Cerundolo but, in the end, surrendered in three sets: 1-6, 6-3, 4-6 the partials in favor of the Argentine. A defeat that, in fact, denies him access to the Top 20 of the ATP ranking. There will be other opportunities but the regret for the lost opportunity is so much. Also because, after the decidedly bad first set, Darderi played at a good level.

A curiosity. Also present in the stands was Ancelotti. The CT of the greenoro national team followed the match of Berrettini, his compatriot. Ancelotti’s presence, in the end, was good for Berrettini, who, in the round of 16, will face Lajovic.

The latter’s presence was a good thing.

Winning as many matches as possible is the primary goal of the’former world No. 6, who is determined to get back in the game at his best. The clay at the Rio Open could give him more satisfaction and allow him to improve, significantly, his ranking.

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