Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a remarkable achievement, Matteo Arnaldi has secured his debut Grand Slam semi-final berth at the French Open, overcoming compatriot Matteo Berrettini, who had to retire during their quarter-final clash on Wednesday. Berrettini was in discomfort and unable to continue while trailing at 7-5, 5-2.

The matchup ended prematurely as Berrettini struggled with a hip issue and took a medical break early in the second set but ultimately withdrew after consulting with his team during a changeover.

Ranked 104th in the world, Arnaldi has had an impressive journey through Roland Garros, clocking in over 17 hours on court prior to this match and navigating through grueling encounters in his previous rounds. Despite showing signs of fatigue, he pushed through the challenge to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Next up for Arnaldi is a face-off against fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli this Friday, ensuring that at least one Italian will compete in the final, following the exit of last year’s runner-up Jannik Sinner.

Post-match, Arnaldi expressed concern for his opponent's well-being, acknowledging the difficulty of such an ending to a match.

"This is tough for both of us. We’ve been through long matches, and it’s understandable not to perform at our best. You don’t wish such an end to anyone’s tournament," Arnaldi reflected.

He also emphasized the strength of Italian tennis and wished Berrettini a swift recovery ahead of the grass-court season.

Though visibly fatigued from intense competition, the 24-year-old Arnaldi is motivated to give his all as he approaches the biggest semi-final of his career, inching closer to a legendary French Open final.

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