“Matteo Berrettini eliminated early at the Madrid Open while Hurkacz shines.”

The ATP Madrid Open kicked off with a first round full of surprises and confirmations, where high-level tennis was the dominant theme. While Hubert Hurkacz and Tomáš Macháč secured solid passages to the second round, Matteo Berrettini suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of the young Dino Prižmić, in a match that exposed the Italian’s weaknesses in serve and return play.

In a setting where the fast surface of Madrid punishes any tactical failings and rewards aggressive, proactive tennis, the results from the opening day revealed much about the players’ form and strategies. Hurkacz, with a secure performance, dominated Jaime Faria with a compact serve and few concessions, closing the match in two sets at 6-3 and 6-3. The Pole demonstrated absolute control, converting three break opportunities and maintaining constant pressure, now preparing for a more demanding challenge against Lorenzo Musetti.

Tomáš Macháč staged a remarkable comeback in his match against Francisco Comesaña. After dropping the first set 3-6, the Czech adjusted his approach, controlling the second set until the tiebreak where he prevailed, and in the deciding set, he secured a crucial lead with an early break, closing the match at 3-6, 7-6, 6-3. This triumph not only confirms Macháč’s resilience but also opens a window of opportunity to face Cameron Norrie in a second round that promises to be intense.

Another highlight was veteran Marin Čilić, who had to fight to overcome Belgian Zizou Bergs. After losing the first set 4-6, the Croatian raised the level of his serve and improved the depth of his shots, winning the next two sets 6-3 and 6-4. This comeback is crucial for a former quarter-finalist looking to gain ground in a competitive draw.

In the surprise category, Dino Prižmić delivered the biggest upset of the day by eliminating Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The young Croatian entered the tournament late but showed impressive tactical discipline, consistently pressing the Italian’s serve and forcing him to play reactively. Prižmić broke Berrettini’s serve early in the first set and maintained his advantage, ultimately closing out the match with authority. This early defeat for the Italian opens up the draw, removing one of the heavier names in the early stages of the tournament.

Jan-Lennard Struff also shone, turning around a tricky match against Alexandre Müller. After trailing 0-4 in the first set, Struff not only recovered but completely dominated the second set, winning 7-6 and 6-0, a result that showcases an impressive recovery and puts the German in a strong position to continue his campaign in Madrid.

Alejandro Tabilo and Ignacio Buse were two other players who took advantage of the first round to secure convincing victories. Tabilo, with a consistent and authoritative game, defeated Valentin Royer 6-2, 6-4, while Buse overcame Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-2, showing a clear progression in his clay court game.

This first day of the ATP Madrid Open confirms that, despite expectations, tennis is a battle where tactical discipline, efficient serving, and adaptability are decisive. Players like Prižmić and Macháč demonstrate that the future is in the hands of those who know how to play with intelligence and patience, while established names like Berrettini face a harsh reality: in today’s tennis, no one has a guaranteed path. The competition is underway and promises intense emotions in the upcoming rounds.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.