Matteo Berrettini tops Lorenzo Sonego for first ATP semifinal since October 2022 in Marrakech

Matteo Berrettini continues to surge in Marrakech.

On Friday, the former world No. 6 advanced to his first ATP semifinal since October 2022 (Naples finalist). Berrettini achieved the result at the Grand Prix Hassan II by eliminating fourth-seeded countryman Lorenzo Sonego, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

“Today the conditions were really difficult. It was tough to return and the ball was flying a lot. A tough match, but happy to be through,” he said in an on-court interview.

Berrettini broke his good friend on the first break point of the day to move ahead 2-0—and comfortably protected the advantage in securing a one-set lead after holding at 15 in his next four service games.

As the 2021 Wimbledon finalist carried his impeccable serving display through to set two, Sonego fought off two break points at 1-1 and another at 2-2 to stay in front. After holding at love for 5-4, the 28-year-old suddenly held set point after executing a pair of aggressive shots—one inside-out forehand and one crosscourt backhand—to swing the scoreboard from 40-30 to ad-out.

Needing to fire a second serve, Berrettini hit his kick target to set up an inside-in forehand that Sonego couldn’t get back in play to avoid the decider. Pushed to deuce in the following game, Berrettini held to force a tie-break. Sonego won three successive points from 2-4 down, but after his opponent recovered to arrive at match point, he double-faulted to drop the encounter. The two hugged it out with a smile at the net.

“We’ve been doing this career together, basically. We also share a coach, so it’s always tough to play against him. I think every time we gave our best,” said Berrettini.

Currently ranked No. 135, Berrettini returned to action in March for the first time since suffering an ankle injury at the 2023 US Open. The Rome native finished runner-up to Nuno Borges at the Phoenix Challenger, before falling to Andy Murray in the first round of the Miami Open.

For a place in Sunday’s championship match, Berrettini awaits the winner of seventh seed Mariano Navone and Australian Aleksandar Vukic. The 27-year-old is bidding to lift his first trophy since triumphing at 2022 London Queen’s.

In the other semifinal, reigning champion Roberto Carballes Baena takes on Pavel Kotov. Carballes Baena fended off American qualifier Nicolas Moreno De Alboran, while Kotov handily beat Fabio Fognini, 6-1, 6-2.