Berrettini fighting illness ahead of Australian Open clash with de Minaur

[ad_1] Matteo Berrettini has hit a pace bump forward of his Australian Open conflict in opposition to native hope Alex de Minaur, with thriller surrounding the Italian's well being.

Berrettini, the previous world quantity six, was compelled to tug the plug early throughout his look at an exhibition match at Melbourne Park because of sickness.

The previous Wimbledon finalist had performed only one match in opposition to Norway's Nicolai Budkov Kjaer at Purple Bull Bassline on Friday evening earlier than retiring early.

De Minaur cops brutal Australian Open draw Alex de Minaur is slated to start his Australian Open marketing campaign with a conflict in opposition to former semifinalist Matteo Berrettini. Right here is every little thing it's good to find out about this yr's draw.

Slated to face de Minaur within the first spherical of the Open on Monday, Berrettini's run-in with sickness is the newest of health troubles after an injury-ravaged 2025 marketing campaign.

Knocked out within the second spherical finally yr's Australian Open, Berrettini was compelled to retire from the Italian Open because of an indirect harm.

Berrettini, at present ranked 56th on the earth, then dominated himself out of the French Open and the US Open following a flare-up of the identical situation.

The 30-year-old has now missed seven grand slams in 4 years, however was capable of return in time to play a pivotal position in Italy's Davis Cup win in November.

Berrettini — who reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2022 — boasts a 3-2 lead in opposition to world quantity six de Minaur within the head-to-head rely.

However the Sydneysider's wins over the Italian have each come on laborious courts.

Berrettini is the primary opponent in a nightmare draw for de Minaur, who enters his residence grand slam together with his highest-ever seeding.

Argentina's world quantity 74 Mariano Navone or Serbia's 96th-ranked Hamad Medjedovic anticipate de Minaur ought to he defeat Berrettini.

American twenty ninth seed Frances Tiafoe is a possible opponent in spherical three, with potential shootouts in opposition to grand slam nemesis Alexander Bublik within the final 16, earlier than the top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz within the quarter-finals.