"Choosing between Berrettini and Sinner like choosing between Federer and Nadal" says Gael Monfils

Their most recent clash came yesterday at the Sofia Open where the young Italian successfully defend his title by winning in straight sets over Monfils. They also played at the US Open where Sinner was up 2-0 before Monfils forced a 5th set where Sinner again proved better. After the final, Monfils was asked to pick between the top two Italians and he could not make up his mind.

He said:

“Maybe we will prefer to face Jannik on hard and Matteo on clay, or better to play against Sinner on grass because he is less strong than Matteo on that surface it is very difficult to answer you because it is a bit like asking you if you prefer to play Rafa or Roger… it depends where, when, how."

It's an interesting way of looking at it and while Berrettini has a more accomplished game, Sinner has a more complete game. The glaring weakness in the game of Berrettini is his backhand which is better in Sinner's game but Berrettini has the better serve and forehand. They also play differently on different surfaces so it depends on that too.

Monfils finished it off by saying that they are both great players and both will be in the top 10 by the end of the year:

"However, at the end of the year, your boys will both be in the top 10, I'm sure of that."