Australian Open: Berrettini and Paolini Secure Spots in Second Round

Melbourne: Italy’s Matteo Berrettini came from a set down to beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open. The 28-year-old Roman, ranked 34th, outgunned Norrie with 32 aces and 63 winners.

According to Ansa News Agency, Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist who helped Italy retain the Davis Cup last year, will face Dane Holger Rune in the next round. In the women’s singles, Italy’s world number four Jasmine Paolini, who reached the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon last year, defeated Chinese qualifier Wei Sijia 6-0, 6-4.

Back in the men’s category, Lorenzo Musetti overcame Matteo Arnaldi in a grueling four-hour, all-Italian first-round clash with scores of 7-6(7/4), 4-6, 7-6(7/5), 6-3. Lorenzo Sonego also advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka.

However, 21-year-old Luca Nardi was unable to progress, losing his debut match in the Australian Open main draw to Canada’s Gabriel Diallo with scores of 6-7(1), 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.