Taylor Fritz improved to 13-5 for the season with a solid 6-3, 7-5 victory over Aussie surprise package Adam Walton.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Miami Open
Miami Gardens, Miami, Florida (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Selected Quarterfinals- 27th March
Taylor Fritz (3) 0.56 vs Matteo Berrettini (29) 1.38
Fritz served tremendously well, firing down four aces and winning 87% of his first-serve points. He hit 13 winners to eight unforced errors to reach a 2nd career Miami quarterfinal (he is aiming to secure his first semifinal appearance). This has been a somewhat disappointing season for last year’s beaten US Open finalist. He helped guide the States to a United Cup triumph but has struggled in the aftermath, reaching just one quarterfinal in his subsequent four events (at Delray Beach). He has suffered some niggles this season, with oblique and abdominal issues preventing him from operating at 100%. But he has looked back to his best in Miami, not dropping a set in his three victories to date. Fritz won the Indian Wells Masters back in 2022 and will be motivated to complete the career ‘Sunshine Double’ this week.
Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini has been a bit of a wildcard this fortnight. The 28-year-old Italian started the season poorly, losing in the 2nd round of the Aussie Open before suffering an early exit in Rotterdam. He rediscovered his mojo during the Middle East swing, reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Qatar and Dubai. He was beaten by Tsitsipas at Indian Wells and probably never held out too much hope for this year’s Miami Masters (he was 0-3 in Miami coming into this year’s championships). But the big-serving Berrettini has defied expectations this fortnight, improving to 3-3 in Miami with victories over Gaston, Bergs and de Minaur. He was made to work in his round of 16 upset win over de Minaur, with the Aussie saving four match-points before Berrettini finally won 6-3, 7-6. It was a tense, error-ridden match (Berrettini hit 32 unforced errors). But the Italian showed plenty of pluck, saving seven of nine break-points. Berrettini has served well this fortnight but will need to cut down those unforced errors going forward.
The Verdict: Fritz to win in three sets at 2.65- Fritz has utterly dominated this rivalry, leading the Italian 4-0 in their head-to-head meetings. Fritz won their most recent encounter- at last year’s US Open- in straight sets. Berrettini could prove more competitive this time out. Fritz has been underwhelming this campaign and Berrettini’s aggressive approach could exploit any lingering issues. Still, Fritz is far more consistent and should have enough to see off the Italian in three.
