Matteo Berrettini overcame a slow start to defeat Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the Round of 16 at the ATP Rio de Janeiro on Friday, winning 79% of first serve points to power his comeback on the Brazilian clay. The Italian’s serve became increasingly lethal after dropping the opening set, setting up a quarterfinal berth with a decisive third-set performance.
Lajovic controlled the early tempo, neutralizing Berrettini’s power and breaking twice to claim the first set 6-3. But the Serbian couldn’t sustain that level. Berrettini found his range in the second set, converting two of his eight break point opportunities while holding serve more comfortably. His first-serve percentage held steady at 72%, but the difference was what he did with those deliveries — winning four of every five first-serve points compared to Lajovic’s 64%.
The third set was one-way traffic. Berrettini, who struck seven aces to Lajovic’s six despite three double faults, broke twice more and closed out the match with authority. He finished with 88 total points won to Lajovic’s 79, sealing the victory in just over two hours on the Rio clay.
Key Takeaways
- Berrettini’s first serve was the decisive weapon — he won 79% of first-serve points compared to Lajovic’s 64%, a 15-percentage-point gap that proved insurmountable once the Italian settled in.
- Break point conversion swung the match. Berrettini converted 4 of 8 break chances (50%), while Lajovic managed just 2 of 6 (33%) and couldn’t generate any opportunities in the final set.
- Despite hitting fewer winners (28 to 32), Berrettini’s cleaner serving — seven aces against zero double faults from Lajovic, though Berrettini committed three — gave him more free points when it mattered.
- The match turned in the second set. After losing serve twice in the opener, Berrettini tightened his return game and won nine more total points than Lajovic across the final two sets to complete the comeback.
Player Analysis
Matteo Berrettini
The Italian showed exactly why he’s dangerous on clay when his serve clicks. That 79% first-serve points won rate is elite on any surface, but especially on the slower Rio courts where returns typically gain more purchase. After a tentative first set where he seemed to be feeling out the conditions, Berrettini grew more aggressive, using his forehand to set up net approaches and dictate rallies. The three double faults are a minor concern, but seven aces suggest his motion was mostly sharp. His 41% win rate on second serves is the one vulnerability Lajovic exploited — when forced into longer rallies off weaker deliveries, Berrettini looked less comfortable. Still, his ability to hold serve under pressure in the second and third sets — facing just two break points across those frames — demonstrated mental fortitude befitting a 10-time tour-level champion.
Dusan Lajovic
Lajovic’s first set was excellent clay-court tennis — solid from the baseline, patient in construction, and ruthless on break point opportunities. But he couldn’t sustain that intensity or find answers to Berrettini’s improved serving in sets two and three. His 52% second-serve points won actually bettered Berrettini’s 41%, suggesting his return game wasn’t the problem. Rather, Lajovic’s own service games became increasingly precarious once Berrettini found rhythm. Winning just 64% of first-serve points on clay is simply too low against a powerful opponent, and his inability to generate break chances in the final set — along with getting broken twice — showed the limits of his counter-punching style when opponents refuse to miss. He hit 32 winners to Berrettini’s 28, but couldn’t convert that aggression into holds when serving to stay in the match.
Match Statistics
| Matteo Berrettini | Stat | D. Lajovic |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Aces | 6 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 0 |
| 72% | 1st Serve % | 72% |
| 79% | 1st Serve Points Won | 64% |
| 41% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 52% |
| 4/8 | Break Points Won | 2/6 |
| 28 | Winners | 32 |
| 27 | Unforced Errors | 27 |
| 88 | Total Points Won | 79 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Matteo Berrettini vs Dusan Lajovic at ATP Rio de Janeiro 2026?
Matteo Berrettini defeated Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the Round of 16 at the ATP Rio de Janeiro tournament on February 20, 2026.
How many aces did Berrettini hit against Lajovic in Rio?
Berrettini struck seven aces compared to Lajovic’s six, though he also committed three double faults to Lajovic’s zero.
What was Berrettini’s first serve winning percentage against Lajovic?
Berrettini won an impressive 79% of his first-serve points, significantly outperforming Lajovic’s 64% and providing the foundation for his comeback victory.
Who won the ATP Rio de Janeiro Round of 16 match between Berrettini and Lajovic?
Matteo Berrettini won the match after dropping the first set, rallying to take the second and third sets for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory on the clay courts of Rio.
What’s Next
Berrettini advances to the quarterfinals in Rio, where he’ll look to continue building momentum on the South American clay swing. The Italian will need to shore up his second-serve numbers if he hopes to challenge higher-seeded opponents deeper in the tournament.
