Alexander Davidovic matched Matteo Berrettini stride for stride in a dramatic US Open clash in central New York. Berrettini, who required five sets to advance past the Malaga native, faced a contest where sudden death decided the second set and where a knee issue for the Italian accelerated the final stages. The score line read 6-3, 7-6 with the tiebreak won by Berrettini 7-6 to 2, 3-6, 6-4, and 2-6, reflecting a gripping battle that stretched across five sets.
Davidovic started the match with authority, stringing together three consecutive games to erase a 6-3 start in the opening quarter. The second set proved intensely tight. Both players traded breaks in a tense moment, and the tiebreak tilted in favor of Berrettini after a time-out by each side. The Italian seized the advantage when the dust settled, leaving the corner team to regroup for the next stage. In the third set, the balance shifted, with Berrettini earning a 3-6 result that signaled a change in momentum from the earlier rounds.
The fourth set remained a seesaw contest, with the score showing 3-6 as Davidovic seemed briefly overwhelmed. Yet the Malaga man recovered his rhythm, unleashing heavy top spins and exploiting aggressive shots from seemingly impossible angles. His consistent pressure culminated in another dramatic finale and set the stage for a decisive fifth sleeve of tennis.
The energy in the arena was electric as both players readied themselves for a potential breakthrough that could shape their title hopes at Flushing Meadows. Service breaks came in rapid succession, and each athlete pressed hard with crisp observations and well-timed winners. Midway through the fifth set, Davidovic felt a sharp pain in his left knee after a long rally and received medical attention. The moment tested his resolve, bringing a practical pause to the match and altering the cadence for the remainder of play.
Berrettini appeared to seize the opportunity as Davidovic fought through discomfort, moving the ball with stubborn variety to keep his opponent off balance. Facing match points, the Malaga competitor found new reserves of focus and composure, drawing on crowd support that rallied behind him in a bid to stay alive in the event. A skillful lob by the Italian, aimed over a beleaguered defense, finally decided the contest and sealed Berrettini’s advancement in a hard-fought confrontation [citation].
Notes from the match highlight how both players showcased resilience under pressure, trading momentum in a marathon that tested endurance and tactical discipline. The outcome underscored the volatility of Grand Slam theater where a single moment can tip the balance and extend a match into a poetry of rallies, nerve, and precision [citation].
The clash underscored the demanding nature of the Open, with the players pushing through fatigue and niggling injuries to deliver a spectacle for fans watching at home and in the stands. Berrettini’s late surge was marked by strategic shot selection and an ability to adjust to varied spins from his opponent, while Davidovic’s early aggression and late rally demonstrated his capacity to weather adversity and fight for every point. The result added another chapter to the players’ storied journeys in New York, where the atmosphere, the atmosphere, and the tempo make it a unique crucible for professional tennis [citation].