Hangzhou
Berrettini’s comeback halted by lucky loser Svrcina in Hangzhou opener
Qualifier Basavareddy defeats defending champion Cilic
September 18, 2025
Dalibor Svrcina defeats Matteo Berrettini in straight sets on Thursday in Hangzhou.
By ATP Staff
Dalibor Svrcina delivered the biggest win of his ATP Tour career on Thursday at the Lynk & Co Hangzhou Open, where he dismissed Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-3 in the Italian’s comeback from injury.
Making his first appearance since his first-round Wimbledon exit, Berrettini was unable to withstand the 22-year-old Czech’s fearless ball-striking at the Chinese ATP 250 event. Despite losing in the second round of qualifying just a day earlier, Svrcina grabbed his chance as a lucky loser and has risen 10 spots to a career-high No. 89 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
“Obviously I wasn’t the favourite coming into this match, so I just wanted to come here, enjoy and play freely,” said Svrcina. “Yesterday I lost in the qualies, so I’m happy I got the chance to play again and I think I made the most out of it.
“Matteo is an incredible player, he’s coming [back] from injury… Obviously he’s not where he wants to be, but I’m very happy with the win today and it’s the biggest of my career so far.”
Backed by rock-solid defence and quick court coverage, Svrcina struck 17 winners to Berrettini’s 11 and saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats, during their 85-minute battle. His reward: a second-round clash with Buyunchaokete or Zhang Zhizhen.
Berrettini, who had reached quarter-finals in Miami, Dubai and Doha earlier this year — including his first win over Novak Djokovic — showed signs of rust after a two-and-a-half month layoff, tallying 15 unforced errors in his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head match with Svrcina.
In other Day 2 action in Hangzhou, Tomas Martin Etcheverry eased past Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-4 to notch his 20th tour-level victory of the season, becoming the second Argentine to do so after Francisco Cerundolo (33). Etcheverry awaits qualifier Rinky Hijikata or fifth seed Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
Qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy booked his spot in the second round by rallying past defending champion Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The 20-year-old, who made his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF last year, is up one spot to sixth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and will next play second seed Daniil Medvedev.
