US Open Tips & Preview – Novak Djokovic V Matteo Berrettini

WILL EVANS’ daily preview serves up US Open tips as Matteo Berretini attempts to halt Novak Djokovic’s march to a 2021 Grand Slam sweep in the quarters.

History: Played 3: Djokovic 3 V Berrettini 0

Last meeting: Wimbledon, 2021 (F): Djokovic d Berrettini 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-3

Final Thoughts: Novak Djokovic’s quest for a Calendar Slam meets its first genuine hurdle in the US Open quarter-finals courtesy of sixth seed Matteo Berrettini.

The pair met less than two months ago in the Wimbledon final. First-time major finalist Berrettini won a first-set tiebreak but Djokovic prevailed in four. Djokovic also eliminated the Italian in the French Open quarter-finals in four sets.

The world No.1 has not been quite as dominant as expected in New York, with just one straight-sets victory – over Tallan Griekspoor in the second round – so far. Holger Rune took the second set off him in the first round. Kei Nishikori ousted Djokovic in a first-set tiebreak and Round of 16 bolter Jenson Brooksby gave him a fright by winning the first set 6-1, before he regrouped to win both in four.

The US Open champ in 2011, 2015 and 2018, 20-time Slam winner Djokovic is 40-9 in quarter-finals at majors. He has made it to at least the semis in 10 of the last 12 Grand Slams. The only exception was fourth-round exits at the 2019 (loss to Stan Wawrinka) and 2020 (disqualified) US Opens.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Berrettini, either. The 25-year-old accounted for veteran Jeremy Chardy in a first-round three-setter, but he dropped a set to Coretin Moutet in the second round. Berrettini was then taken to five sets by Ilya Ivashka. Oscar Otte also took a set off him in a more comfortable Round of 16 win.

This is Berrettini’s fourth Grand Slam quarter-final. He was a US Open semi-finalist in 2019, going down to Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic needs to lift, but he still holds a significant psychological edge after his recent Slam wins over Berrettini. With so much history within reach, I can’t see the 34-year-old faltering here.

Tip: Set Betting – Djokovic 3-1 @ $3.75