Alex de Minaur Stunned by Matteo Berrettini in Miami Open Heartbreaker
Alex de Minaur’s Miami Open campaign ended in frustration after a gut-wrenching fourth-round loss to Matteo Berrettini, with tennis fans labeling the defeat an epic “choke.” The Australian World No.11 had multiple chances to push the match into a deciding third set but failed to capitalize, ultimately falling 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) to the resurgent Italian.
Missed Opportunities Haunt de Minaur
The 10th seed will be bitterly disappointed after squandering six set points against Berrettini, who showcased incredible resilience to claim a spot in the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 event. Coming off an impressive comeback win against Joao Fonseca, de Minaur started slowly, dropping the first set before appearing poised for one of his trademark fightbacks.
Leading 5-4 in the second set, de Minaur jumped out to a 0-40 lead on Berrettini’s serve, earning three set points. However, the former World No.6 held firm, saving them all and eventually holding serve. The momentum swung dramatically when de Minaur was broken in the following game, giving Berrettini the chance to serve for the match.
Demon’s Resilience Not Enough
Berrettini had three match points on his serve, but de Minaur showcased his renowned fighting spirit, saving them all to force a tiebreaker. With momentum now seemingly in his favor, the Aussie raced ahead, earning another three set points. But once again, he failed to convert, allowing Berrettini to reel off seven straight points and seal victory on his second match point.
The loss denied de Minaur his 18th tour-level win of the year, a mark that would have been a tour-best in 2024. While his consistent deep runs in tournaments highlight his progress, his struggles to go further in elite events remain a concern.
Social Media Reaction and Djokovic’s Dominance
Tennis fans were ruthless on social media, criticizing de Minaur’s inability to close out the set and labeling it a massive missed opportunity. The defeat also ended hopes of an all-Australian quarter-final, as Adam Walton was later knocked out by Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
Meanwhile, six-time Miami Open champion Novak Djokovic continued his pursuit of history, dominating Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-2 to move three wins away from a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title. The Serbian legend is also closing in on his 100th career title, impressing a courtside audience that included Serena Williams and Juan Martin del Potro.
Djokovic now faces Sebastian Korda in the quarter-finals, while Francisco Cerundolo upset Casper Ruud to set up a clash with Grigor Dimitrov.
