US Open: Matteo Berrettini downs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in epic five-setter
Italian international Matteo Berrettini survived a tough five-setter against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 3-6 7-6 6-3 4-6 6-2 in the pair's fourth-round match in the US Open
Matteo Berrettini in brilliant formBerrettini struck back after losing the first set and found rhythm behind his serve. However, Fokina pressed on to win the fourth set that forced a decider extending the match to three hours and 45 minutes.
After skipping Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, Berrettini broke Davidovich Fokina's serve three times in the fifth set. The Spaniard twisted his knee when serving at 1-4 in the decider prompting immediate treatment.
Berrettini has levelled his ATP Head2Head series against Davidovich Fokina at 1-1. The 26-year-old Berrettini became a quarter-finalist for his fifth consecutive Grand Slam appearance.
Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters finalist Davidovich Fokina looked strong in the fourth-round clash's opening stages, putting pressure on Berrettini's groundstrokes and dismissing the Italian's powerful forehand on every occasion.
The Spaniard then landed a break for a 6-3 3-2 lead, but he started the next game with shaky service that increased Berrettini's chances of winning.
The Italian rallied to force the set into a tie-break and maintained the same momentum to clinch the second set. However, Davidovich Fokina's tactics kept Berrettini on his toes throughout.
Berrettini's eventual win improved his record in five-set matches to 3-0 in the Flushing Meadows.
His next opponent is fifth seed Casper Ruud, who dispatched lucky loser Corentin Moutet 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-2. Berrettini's record in New York is now 16-4, but the Italian has revealed that he is struggling with the changeable conditions.
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