Mariano Navone eliminated Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Montreal Masters 1000 with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory on Monday, August 4, 2026. The Argentine, ranked 44th in the world, produced a remarkable defensive display by saving 11 of his 12 break points faced across a 2-hour, 36-minute battle disrupted by rain.
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A form reversal
Pre-match numbers firmly favored Berrettini. The Italian, a former Australian Open semifinalist, led 3-0 in their head-to-head and boasted a considerably stronger career record on hard courts. Yet it was Navone who imposed his methodical baseline rhythm, proving that past statistics do not determine the outcome on the day.
The first set established the pattern. The Argentine quickly took control of the rallies, claiming the opener 6-3 thanks to rock-solid returning that neutralized Berrettini's serving power. The Italian, visibly lacking match rhythm after his post-Wimbledon absence, could not find the tempo needed to compete in extended exchanges.
Berrettini fights back before fading
The second set offered a completely different scenario. The Italian dug deep to snatch the tiebreak 7-5, reviving a contest many thought was already over. But this comeback was not enough to overturn the momentum Navone had built.
In the deciding set, the Argentine rediscovered his composure. True to his patient, constructed game from the baseline, he took the third set 6-3 without ever showing signs of nerves. The most striking number from this match remains those 11 break points saved out of 12, a statistic that speaks to extraordinary focus in clutch moments.
This loss further complicates Berrettini's situation as he struggles to find consistency on tour. For Navone, this victory over a former top-10 player sends a strong signal heading into the American hard-court swing. The match, originally scheduled for Sunday, had been postponed due to the heavy rain that disrupted the weekend in Montreal.
