Matteo motors in Stuttgart semis

Two-time champion Matteo Berrettini sprinted into his third final at the Stuttgart Open on Saturday, overwhelming Italian compatriot Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-0.

The semi-final tour took barely an hour as the 2021 Wimbledon finalist moved to within a match of his fourth trophy on grass.    

But Berrettini will face a stern test in Sunday’s final against Brit jack Draper, who dispatched Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-3.

The 22-year-old will take over the top national ranking on Monday just in time for the July 1 Wimbledon start.

Berrettini will be facing an entirely new opponent when he bids to complete a Stuttgart trophy hat-trick after titles here in 2019 and 2022; he also won Queen’s Club twice in 2021 and 2022 on grass.

Berrettini won the opening set against Musetti, then ran off untouched with the victory as he continues an injury comeback which began last March at a Challenger in Arizona.

The Italian said he was pleased with a quick victory: “When you win like this , it’s better.

“You burn less energy, I’ve played enough this week.”

Berrettini added: “It’s never easy to play a good friend like Lorenzo. There was some tension at the beginning. But i was able to hold my nerve when I served for the first set.

“From then on, my game got better and better – I’m happy with the win.”

Berrettini will be looking for his second trophy of the season after a title on clay last spring in Morocco.

“I don’t take being in another final here for granted,” he said. “I’ve never played Draper, never even practised with him,

“I hope my coaches are studying him. I think tomorrow will be a match of serving.”

Main photo:- Matteo Berrettini celebrates semi final win – by BOSS OPEN