H2H: Roger Federer vs. Matteo Berrettini - Prediction (ATP London

Federer – Berrettini. Preview and players comparison.

Roger Federer has never lost consecutive round-robin matches in ATP World Tour finals in 16 appearances, and he is expected to bounce back with a win against Matteo Berrettini.

Roger Federer made a disappointing start to the ATP World Tour Finals as he was beaten in straight sets by Dominic Thiem on Sunday. Federer won only 70% of his first-serve points and lost his serve thrice during this defeat, 7-5 7-5. It was the world #2 Roger Federer’s third defeat against Dominic Thiem in three meetings this year. He previously lost to the top-ranked Austrian in the championship match in Indian Wells and quarterfinal of Madrid Masters. Last year as well, Roger Federer lost his first round-robin match in the ATP World Tour Finals against Kei Nishikori but managed to win the following two matches in straight sets to reach the semifinal of year-end championships for the ninth consecutive season.

In his previous 16 appearances in the ATP World Tour Finals, only once Roger Federer had suffered a group stage exit, in 2008, when he lost his first and third round-robin matches against Gilles Simon and Andy Murray, respectively. Considering Roger Federer will be facing world #2 and tournament favorite Novak Djokovic in his next round-robin match later this week, the match against Matteo Berrettini is a must-win outing for him, and a defeat here would make it extremely difficult for him to progress to the semifinal.

“It’s a normal tournament from here on forward. Not allowed to lose anymore. That’s how it is every week of the year for the past 20 years, so from that standpoint, there is nothing new there,” said Roger Federer, the six-time champion of ATP World Tour Finals.
Matteo Berrettini could win only three games on his ATP World Tour Finals debut as he suffered a crushing straight-set defeat at the hands of Novak Djokovic earlier this week, 2-6 1-6.

Regardless of what happens in London this week, Matteo Berrettini will most probably leave the tournament with a smile on his face, considering the success he has enjoyed over the last ten months. The Italian started the 2019 season by winning a Challenger title in Phoenix and later won two ATP Tour titles and qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals. Matteo Berrettini is the second player in two years to win a Challenger title and qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in the same year. Kei Nishikori won the Dallas Challenger in 2018 and later competed in London but exited the group stage after losing two of his three round-robin matches — defeated Roger Federer in straight sets.