(AP)
Andy Murray faces Matteo Beretini in the final of the Stuttgart Open this afternoon, as the Scotsman has been aiming for a first title on the grass for six years and is continuing his preparations for Wimbledon. Murray scored an impressive quarter-final victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas earlier this week, before knocking out Nick Kyrgio in the semifinals on Saturday and now faces Beretini in search of his 47th career title and first on the grass from Wimbledon 2016. Tsitsipas was the No. 1 seed and Murray’s victory was his first against a top five player in the world in six years. Murray’s serve has been particularly reliable this week and this will keep him in good position for the rest of the season on the grass. Murray seems to have taken advantage of his decision to miss the French Open, despite enjoying some good ground games in the lead, and appearing fresh on the grass. He plans to play at Queen’s before embarking on another mission to shake Wimbledon’s fame at the age of 35 later this month, but first it’s a trophy battle with Berrettini in Stuttgart. Watch live coverage of the Stuttgart Open final below:
Updates Andy Murray vs. Matteo Berrettini
Show last update 1655045481
Andy Murray 4-6, * 5-5 Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
A passing backhand from Murray with Beretini running to the baseline. A valuable first point to open this game and claim a bit of momentum back. Murray reaches low for this forehand and lets a short one for Berrettini explode on him, a forehand bomb is dropped next to him to bring the 15-15. Great rally, Murray makes good use of Berrettini’s striking power and dictates the pace of the rally to move the Italian across the pitch. 30-15. Murray was forced to enter and this is an extremely difficult backhand volley in the nets. Berettini tries to pass Murray and he does, but it is wide. Match point for the Briton. Jack Rathborn 12 June 2022 15:51 1655045393
Andy Murray 4-6, 5-5 * Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
After so much hard work, Berrettini with a few cheap points reached 40-0. Murray with a word for the referee now. The pressure on both men increases. Murray hits so hard he could nest in the stands. Berrettini holds love. 5-5. Jack Rathborn June 12, 2022 3:49 PM 1655045331
Andy Murray 4-6, * 5-4 Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Andy Murray plays the return of Italian Matteo Berrettini (AP) Matteo Beretini plays the return of the British Andy Murray (AP) Jack Rathborn June 12, 2022 3:48 PM 1655044718
Andy Murray 4-6, * 5-4 Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Murray takes part in a slow, long rally, but Berettini flashes first. 15-0. Murray, dictating the next point, rushes into the net, but Beretini cuts a crossbar, Murray can not mitigate it in volleyball and is long. 15-15. Terrible from Murray, in the net with a blow to the backhand, he can not get over it, it is long and the racket falls into the net disappointed. 15-30, is this the defining moment in the match? A second serve for Murray, not what he would have liked, and he throws the forehand into the net after Berrettini relentlessly goes up for his return. Two breakpoints. One left! Service without returning there, Murray shouts excitedly. Another chance for Berrettini to create an opportunity to serve for the championship. Wow, a dynamic first serve, just when he needed it, Berrettini can not control that either. Duplex. The match at Murray is amazing. But it will take even more fighting here, a forward hits high and does not fall in, break point three. First serve on the net, surely this is for Berrettini now? Is not! A delicious rally and Berrettini can not lower enough in this backhand that dies below his knees. Now a good first serve out, you know the look, Murray pointing his head, roaring with joy, point of play. Breathtaking, majestic, heroic, Murray wins an epic game and goes 5-4. Jack Rathborn June 12, 2022 3:38 PM 1655044622
Andy Murray 4-6, 4-4 * Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Berrettini with a cool head, storms in this game to climb to four each. The ace count is now 10-7 in his favor. Jack Rathborn June 12, 2022 3:37 PM 1655044340
Andy Murray 4-6, * 4-3 Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Murray changes gears here, gets the cheap points and puts pressure on the Italian again. The Scot leads 4-3 here in Stuttgart. We play for an hour and 22 minutes as we approach the end of the second set. Pretty quick action from the couple, given how hard they fought. Jack Rathborn 12 June 2022 15:32 1655044114
Andy Murray 4-6, 3-3 * Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
The ruthless Berettini reaches the nets, sends a beam. Jack Rathborn 12 June 2022 15:28 1655043563
Andy Murray 4-6, * 3-2 Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Half an opportunity disappears for Murray, but he returns to work, comes into the net and sends a relaxed return from Beretini, 15-0. Berrettini moves well there, Murray’s drop shot is not enough, Berrettini digs a backhand piece on the line and happily sends the next lob with a powerful shot into the net. 15-15. Problems arise for Murray, Berrettini digs a backhand cross court, but Murray crouches low and nets. He hits the net in frustration. 15-30. A gift for Murray! Few in this approach and out of position, Berrettini throws a forehand on the big line to waste the opportunity to score two break points. Great service from Murray, “let’s go”, he shouts as Beretini goes away. Play point. Caught on his toes with an impressive comeback, Murray finally scores nets and we have doubles, Berettini feels the opportunity to take a huge step towards the title if he manages to break here. This will work, Murray with a few cheap points from the first serve, dictating the rally after a few average returns fall nicely. 3-2. Jack Rathborn 12 June 2022 15:19 1655043354
Andy Murray 4-6, 2-2 * Matteo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Murray is now battling the fire, timing the bombs sent to him by Beretini. As a prize fighter who fights beautifully, Berettini throws a few balls into the net. 30-30. Berettini wastes a match point, his drop shot was cut to the top of the net and landed on his side. Duplex. A first service rocket brings an advantage for the Italian, he shows his eyes while celebrating. Point of the game again. Murray is still 6-5 ahead of the aces. In court, his money for Beretini, flogged with real poison and Murray can not approach it. Game. 2-2. Jack Rathborn June 12, 2022 3:15 p.m. 1655043096
Andy Murray 4-6, * 2-1 Mateo Beretini – Stuttgart Open Final
Murray enters nicely, a short return is sent to Berrettini’s backhand. The Murray Clinic here, leads 2-1 after an easy grip, just as he would have liked. Jack Rathborn 12 June 2022 15:11
