Matteo Berrettini beats close mate, runs into Roger Federer conqueror

LONDON: Seventh-seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy defeated close friend Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to enter his first Wimbledon semi-final and set up a clash with Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, who scalped Roger Federer in straight sets. Berrettini is the first man from his country in the Open Era to make it to the last-four stage of the Wimbledon.

"Everything is crazy right now. Thanks to Felix, I think we made a great match and I hope you guys enjoyed it," Matteo Berrettini said in his on-court interview after trumping Canadian Auger-Aliassime, his closest mate, on Wednesday night.

"He is probably one of my best friends on tour, so it is never easy to play against him. But that's sport and I am really happy."

Berrettini converted six of the 14 break-points, hit 12 aces (to 13 by his rival) and won 76 per cent points on first serve. He committed only three double faults as against six by Auger-Aliassime.

"Hubert is having a great season. He won Miami, he is playing good. Beating Federer in three sets means that he's playing well," Berrettini said of his semi-final rival. IANS

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