"I think it was one of the best performances of my life" - Matteo Berrettini in awe of scintillating showing to book last-16 spot at Monte-Carlo Masters

Daniil Medvedev will take the spotlight from a disastrous performance, which saw him fail to win a single game and a huge headloss moment involving him smashing his racket to pieces. However, attention and praise should be directed towards Matteo Berrettini in what he described as 'one of the best performances of my life' in a 6-0, 6-0 triumph in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

This could have been different from the start. Medvedev came out of the blocks faster, creating two early break points. He was unable to take them, and from there, Berrettini was marvellous. While the level of Medvedev had fallen off a cliff, the Italian more than made up for it, virtually playing out of his skin in a blinding performance.

He won 73% of his first serves and 83% on his second. He dropped just eight points on serve, two og which coming in the second set, while converting all but two break points coming his way. He won a total of 50 points compared to the 17 of his opponent, and spent just 50 minutes on court enroute to demilishing the Russian.

Entered as a wildcard into this tournament, Berrettini has played and won all 16 games competed in. For once, he benefited from an injury concern, but this time for his first-round opponent Roberto Bautista Agut. He would then win all 12 games against the former world number one, spending just 73 minutes on court to book his spot in the third round in comfortable circumstances.

Speaking after the match, the former Wimbledon finalist was very satisfied with a positive and rather swift day at the office.

"I think it was one of the best performances of my life," Berrettini said. "I think I missed three shots in the entire match and it is not easy against a tricky player like Daniil. I think the game plan was perfect and my weapons were working."

After an early scare, the only way was up for Berrettini. He did not expect to clinch a brace of bagels, but managed to seal an impressive victory nonetheless. "I faced two break points in the first game and then after that it felt I was playing better than him," he admitted. "I was not expecting to win zero, zero like that. But I kept my focus as I know one break or two breaks is not enough sometimes, so I kept pushing."

He was not letting that first set get to his head, determined to stay focused on the task at hand and inflict another devastating blow towards his opponent. "I have been playing for a long time, so I felt it was really important to hold my serve at the start of the second set," Berrettini added. "It is a matter of a few points at the start and then when you go up two breaks you are more relaxed and the ball is [flying] out of your racket."

Berrettini has never made it past the third round in this tournament. He reached this stage last year as well in 2023, but overall it has not been happy hunting ground for him. The tide seems to be turning for him. A huge opportunity has now arisen for the 29-year-old. He will face Joao Fonseca in an attempt to reach a first quarterfinal in Monaco and break new ground.