Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini is set to return to the top 100 of the ATP Rankings after a stunning run to the final of the ATP 250 event in Marrakech.
A former world No 6 and runner-up at SW19 less than three years ago, and a former semi-finalist at the Australian and US Opens, the popular Italian is currently languishing down at 135th in the ATP Rankings following a terrible spell with injury.
The 27-year-old first struggled with injury back in 2022, missing Roland Garros with a right hand injury and then being forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after testing positive for COVID-19 – after he had won back-to-back grass court titles in Stuttgart and Queen’s.
After losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round of Wimbledon last season, Berrettini retired injured at the US Open and did not play again until last month as he continued to be hampered.
His return started promisingly as he reached the final of the Phoenix Challenger, choosing to play there over taking a wildcard into Indian Wells.
But he then looked out of sorts in action at the Miami Open, at one point almost appearing to almost faint on court in his three-set loss to Andy Murray.
Little was expected of the Italian at the Grand Prix Hassan II this week, with clay widely considered his weakest surface.
However, he has not looked too far from his best in Morocco this week and will battle for his 8th career ATP title today after a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 win against Mariano Navone on Saturday.
“It’s been nearly three hours, so I am pretty tired, but I am really happy,” he said in his post-match interview.
And his run through the tournament has guaranteed that the Italian will regain his spot in the top 100 of the ATP Rankings come Monday.
He currently sits in 95th in the live rankings, and will be back inside the top 85 should he be victorious in his 13th career final.
Such a leap will be hugely significant in terms of entry into Grand Slams and potentially other ATP 250 tournaments, with the Italian now unlikely to now have to rely on wildcards or use his protected ranking for such events.
Berrettini faces a tough test in Sunday’s final against clay specialist Roberto Carballes Baena, who is looking to defend his title at the event.