We had left off with a “may the best win” at the presentation of the match between Mattia Bellucci and Stan Wawrinka, and that’s how it went. In the first round of the U.S. Open, the player who is currently the best of the two won, and not just because of the ranking: on court 17 in New York, the 23-year-old from Castellanza dominated the seasoned Swiss player, winning the match in three sets with the score of 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
This result for Bellucci represents yet another (he has had a multitude recently) step forward in the top tier of world tennis. For the first time, the left-handed player from Varese has won a match in a Grand Slam – a result he had narrowly missed at Roland Garros and Wimbledon – and for the first time he could enter the top 100 of the ATP ranking since Mattia was ranked 101 before heading to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
And the good news is that it doesn’t stop here: Bellucci confidently advances to the second round of the American slam and will face a not impossible obstacle (which doesn’t mean easy), namely Australian Christopher O’Connell, ranked 87 in the world, who knocked out the 26th seed, Chilean Jarry, in four sets. Whoever wins between the two will likely have a match against Jannik Sinner in the third round (if the Alto Adige player, victorious in four against McDonald, doesn’t trip over Michelsen).
Against Wawrinka, Bellucci showcased superiority over the three-time Slam winner and former world number 3, who is slowed down, however, by his 39 years. Mattia quickly demonstrated his tennis style filled with short and long exchanges, drop shots, and diagonals, which posed difficulties for the Swiss who needed to regain match rhythm. Two breaks in favor of the Castellanza player, one for Wawrinka, but the total smiled at Mattia who closed the set 6-4.
The second set was instead a battle for balance: Wawrinka saved a break point at the start and then – though suffering against Bellucci’s serve – did not give any more opportunities to the Italian. Perfect alternation between the two and 6-6 led the set to a tie-break. Here, however, Mattia took the situation head-on, and when the Swiss tried to apply pressure at the net, he executed two passing shots that fully caught his opponent off guard: 7-5 in the tie-break and 2-0 for Bellucci.
Back on the ropes, the former champion from Lausanne stayed in the corner except for creating a couple of break opportunities, both saved by the 23-year-old pupil of Fabio Chiappini. He built his advantage, moved to 5-3, and closed the match while holding Wawrinka to zero in the final service game, completing a fairy tale evening. The American dream continues: with O’Connell on Thursday, there’s a chance to make it even bigger.
BELLUCCI’S AMERICA
Atlanta (ATP 250)
Victory in the qualifiers against top 100 Walton
Quarter-finals against Rinderknech
Washington (ATP 500)
Victory over McDonald, the first in a “500” tournament
Loss to Michelsen but ranked number 112
Cary (Challenger 120)
Run to the finals, title narrowly missed
US Open Qualifiers (Grand Slam)
1st round: 6-2 7-5 against Mayo
2nd round: 7-5 6-2 against Gomez
3rd round: 6-3 6-3 against Majchrzak