Pablo Carreno Busta ensured that Matteo Berrettini’s debut at the Canadian Open (Rogers Cup), Montreal this week was short.
The Spaniard, who lost to Italy’s Berrettini in straight sets in the fourth round of the 2022 Australian Open, avenged the loss by claiming a convincing 6-3, 6-2 first-round victory at the Canadian Open.
Berrettini is struggling to find his best again after undergoing right hand surgery in March which has limited him from playing in tournaments since the Masters 1000 tournament at Indian Wells. COVID-19 also forced him to miss Wimbledon.
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While Carreno Busta took advantage of these conditions with merciless play and consistent attacks. He prevented Berrettini from finding a rhythm without taking too much of a risk for himself. After securing a second service break in the second set, he screamed knowing the finish line was in front of him.
In a match between two former top 10 players and lasted for 1 hour 17 minutes, Pablo Carreno Busta did not face a break point.
Awaiting Carreno Busta in the second round of the Canadian Open is Denmark’s Holger Rune who beat Berrettini’s compatriot Fabio Fognini 6-3, 7-5.
In other action, American Maxime Cressy beat Aslan Karatsev 6-4, 6-4 after 92 minutes on his Canadian Open debut. He shot 11 aces and won 83 percent of points from his first serve en route to claiming victory in the first leg against Karatsev.
Cressy, who won his first career title in Newport last month, will next face 17th seed Gael Monfils after the Frenchman beat Spain’s Pedro Martinez 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
Meanwhile, England’s Jack Draper’s convincing performance, which saw him break into the top 100 for the first time in June, was again seen when he eliminated Frenchman Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-3 in a match that lasted 83 minutes and had to postponed the previous day due to rain.
The win sent Draper into the second round of the Canadian Open against third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Croatian Marin Cilic maintained an unbeaten streak against compatriot Borna Coric after the 13th seed claimed a 6-3, 6-2 victory. The 2014 US Open champions converted seven of 11 break points before further dominating their head to head 8-0.
Cilic will next challenge Karen Khachanov in the second round. Head to head both players drew 2-2, but Khachanov beat the Croatian in Adelaide and Doha this season.
