Russian Alexander Shevchenko beats Matteo Berrettini at Phoenix 2023 Tennis Challenger, secures a spot in the semifinals

A step back for Matteo Berrettini. The Roman, number 23 in the world, greets the Challenger of Phoenix with a defeat in the quarterfinals against the Russian Alexander Shevchenko, who emerged victorious by 6-4 3-6 6-3 in two hours of play. Appearing a bit packed in his movements, the blue pays for a bad day with his second serve and a few mistakes too many with his forehand, a constant in recent weeks.

Right from the start Matteo doesn’t appear in his best form, with the service struggling to fuel. On the other hand, Shevchenko plays his tennis, somewhat muscular and above all ‘vocal’, fighting for every ball. The blue immediately had to save a break point in the third game, but capitulated in the seventh after a double fault and two errors with the forehand, perhaps the real Achilles’ heel in this period. The Russian trembles a bit when closing, offers a break point but the blue sinks his backhand and sees the first set slip away.

In the second half Shevchenko is exalted and wants to overdo it. Sometimes, however, he also risks losing control, as in the fourth game when he gives away another break point with a double fault but Berrettini misses another forehand and wastes the opportunity. Error that he risks paying dearly in the fifth game, but the blue saves himself by canceling three break points. Remaining there, the moment arrives in which the Russian loses his rhythm: from above 40-15 he makes three venial errors, interspersed with a forehand club from Matteo who makes the break his own, which is decisive to go to the third.

When the match seems to be able to turn in favor of Berrettini, however, the unexpected slip comes. The negative turn in batting is in the fourth game, a double fault and an error coming out of the service force the blue to have to cancel two break points. The first is canceled with a nice long line, but in the second Shevchenko takes control and flies to a heavy 3-1, then materialized in 4-1. The Russian does not give more chances and deservedly takes the success.

We were saying at the beginning of a not too positive day in service for Berrettini. Only seven aces and four double faults, with a conversion rate of 39% with the second (13/33). Moreover, Matteo managed to undermine the opposing defense a few times: three break points obtained, and only with gifts from Shevchenko.