Marrakech Open: Fit-again Berrettini picks up first ATP Tour win since US Open

Italian Matteo Berrettini took a significant step forward on his return from injury as he beat Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko, the No 6 seed, 6-2, 6-1 to reach round two of the Marrakech Open at Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech on Tuesday.

The former Wimbledon runner-up, who returned to the Tour last month after six months away because of injury, raced to his first ATP Tour win since last year’s US Open and his first clay-court win since Monte-Carlo a year ago.

“It’s great to be back, I’m just really happy. I said it many times, but seven months without playing is a long time. I missed it, and that’s why I have so much energy right now. I’m just enjoying playing,” Berrettini said.

“Today I played really good. In the comeback I didn’t expect to play so many matches in a row, but it’s good, it’s what I needed. It’s one of the reasons probably why I won this match as well. I feel good, and I’m really happy to be here in Morocco.”

The world No 135 will play Spaniard Jaume Munar next.

Marrakech ATP 250, other first-round results (Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech, clay, EUR 579.320, most recent results first):

• David Goffin vs. Arthur Rinderknech
• Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs. Stan Wawrinka
• Matteo Gigante vs. Roberto Carballes Baena
• Nicolas Moreno De Alboran vs. Facundo Diaz Acosta: tuesday
• Fabio Fognini vs. Hugo Gaston: tuesday
• Flavio Cobolli (8) beat Abdullah Shelbayh (WC): 6-1, 6-4
• Aleksandar Vukic beat Alexandre Muller: 6-3, 7-6 (5)
• Sumit Nagal beat Corentin Moutet: 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
• Mariano Navone (7) beat Aziz Dougaz (WC): 6-3, 6-2
• Pavel Kotov beat Elliot Benchetrit (WC): 7-5, 6-3
• Jaume Munar beat Luca Van Assche: 7-6 (3), 6-2