World no. 10 Matteo Berrettini kicked off the new season at the ATP 250 event in Antalya, beating the local player Ergi Kirkin 6-0, 6-4 in 56 minutes.
The Italian scored only nine victories in 2020, struggling with injuries and reaching only one quarter-final at Rome Masters. The Rome native is ready to get back on the winning track in the season ahead of, testing his current level in Antalya and playing on a high level in the opening match to leave the lower-ranked rival behind.
The 21-year-old Turk fought well in set number two, still hitting the exit door in under an hour. Berrettini lost seven points behind the initial shot and mounted the pressure on the other side, delivering four breaks to march over the top.
The Italian grabbed three breaks in the opener and closed the set with a service winner in game six to provide a bagel. Berrettini broke at love at 2-2 in set number two with a forehand down the line winner and moved over the top with a service winner at 5-4.
"I thought it was important to play in the first week of the season, ahead of the Australian swing. I have been working hard, and I'm injury-free for the first time in two years at the beginning of the season. I think I played well in my opening match, and I'm looking to build my confidence in Antalya, where I have played four times earlier in my career," Matteo Berrettini said.
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