Matteo Berrettini, the 29th-seeded player, is set to launch his quest at the Italian Open this Saturday, taking on British player Jacob Fearnley in the second round. Berrettini, who benefited from a first-round bye, will face Fearnley, who advanced after defeating wild card Fabio Fognini in straight sets.
The 2025 season for Berrettini has been tumultuous, characterized by impressive performances without securing titles and some disappointing early exits. After struggling in Melbourne and Rotterdam, he found a rhythm by reaching the quarterfinals in both Qatar and Dubai, notably scoring a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic in Doha. He continued to show potential by securing another quarterfinal appearance in Miami, though he was ultimately stopped by Taylor Fritz in three sets. In Monte Carlo, Berrettini achieved an upset against world No. 2 Alexander Zverev but fell to Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16. His journey took a setback in Madrid, where he retired due to an abdominal injury during his match against Jack Draper.
On the other side of the court, Jacob Fearnley, 23, is navigating his way through the ATP main tour. His season started strong with a semifinal finish in Canberra and a third-round appearance at the Australian Open. However, since those early successes, his results have varied, facing first-round defeats in Indian Wells and against Grigor Dimitrov in Madrid’s round of 32. Despite showing promise, Fearnley is still striving for consistency in his performance.
Berrettini and Fearnley will be meeting for the first time, with no prior head-to-head record between them. As they prepare for this inaugural matchup, Berrettini’s extensive experience, particularly in front of a home crowd, gives him an advantage. Yet, if Fearnley can establish his rhythm early and manage his nerves, this match could present a significant challenge for the Italian.
The prediction favors Berrettini to win in straight sets, but the upcoming match holds potential for excitement as both players seek to make their mark in the tournament.
Betting odds reflect this outlook, where Berrettini is favored at 3/10, while Fearnley stands at 5/2. The match promises to be a compelling encounter for tennis fans.