Musa
In a gripping first-round clash at the Rome Masters, Britain’s Jacob Fearnley was overpowered by home favorite Matteo Berrettini, who delivered a commanding performance to progress to the next round. Playing on his preferred clay surface and backed by a passionate Roman crowd, Berrettini displayed the aggressive baseline play and powerful serving that once took him to the Wimbledon final, sealing a straight-sets victory over the young Brit.
Fearnley, making his debut at a Masters 1000 event, showed flashes of promise, particularly with his defensive resilience and ability to absorb pressure. However, Berrettini’s experience and raw power proved too much. The Italian broke serve early in both sets, using his heavy forehand to dictate points and never allowed Fearnley to build momentum. Despite the loss, the 22-year-old Brit can take away valuable lessons from this encounter, having faced a seasoned top-tier opponent in front of a challenging crowd.
Berrettini, who has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, looked fit and confident, raising hopes among Italian fans that he could make a deep run in his home tournament. His movement and serve were sharp, and his court positioning gave Fearnley few opportunities to turn the tide.
For Fearnley, the Rome experience adds to his growing exposure on the ATP Tour. While the scoreboard was lopsided, his composure and effort did not go unnoticed. As he continues to rise through the ranks, matches like these will be key in shaping his future on the pro circuit.
Musa
